I DON’T want to say “I told you so” but earlier this month I predicted a dust-up was coming over council’s media policy.
It came as no surprise that a motion to effectively cut Mayor Teresa Harding from most, if not all, council- issued media releases, was placed on the agenda this month by Paul Tully.
In a shock move on Tuesday in front of media and the public gallery, Tully moved the matter lie on the table.
It’s not known when or if the motion will return to the chamber.
Of the proposed changes, Tully told The Australian this week; “It just makes it clear what the position has been for the last four decades”.
However, this is not entirely correct. Pre-policy a council procedure guided management of media relations for about 16 years.
A key clause covered when disputes arose over who should be quoted. Generally, the Mayor of the day would make the decision.
What’s behind the proposed gagging of the current Mayor by most councillors?
Harding has not backed away from repeatedly criticising Pisasale-era councillors to the detriment of relationships. This criticism has not been received well by some councillors, including Tully and Antoniolli.
In the background you also have the remnants of when Harding ran for the LNP against Labor’s Shayne Neumann in the seat of Blair.
Got something to share? Contact Inside Ipswich [email protected].
