The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has today welcomed the decision of the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA) to dismiss a matter involving Barcaldine Regional Council Mayor, Sean Dillon.
“The LGAQ maintains this complaint should never have progressed to an investigation that has taken almost 12 months to resolve,” LGAQ CEO, Alison Smith said.
“Mayors and councillors should have the same implied right to freedom of political expression as their State and Federal colleagues.
“Any move to impinge on this right is overreach that undermines the role of an elected representative in Queensland.”
The Independent Assessor dismissed a complaint against Mr Dillon (pictured) regarding public comments he made about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Barcaldine in a live-streamed council meeting.
In announcing the dismissal today, the OIA said the Mayor’s comments were in reaction to incorrect information provided by a council officer about the proposed vaccine rollout.
“The incorrect information was that the HHS was proposing to vaccinate whole towns in one day,” the statement read.
“There was also a miscommunication within council about the priority vaccination of the elderly.
“The mayor’s comments were further published on a local news site, which also raised the conduct of the mayor in making the statements.”
