A CONTROVERSIAL motion that sought to strip Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding of her central role in media communications was unexpectedly delayed during a tense Ipswich City Council meeting.
The motion, introduced by Councillor Paul Tully, proposed significant changes to the council’s Media and Corporate Communications Policy, including giving committee chairpersons greater control over media inquiries and communications.
The motion was scheduled for discussion, but as the meeting unfolded, Cr Tully surprised both residents and fellow council members by calling for the motion to “lie on the table”, effectively postponing the debate.
Despite the apparent support for the motion, Cr Tully declined to explain his decision to delay the discussion, leaving both the Mayor and the public in the dark.
Cr Harding, visibly frustrated, questioned the reasoning behind the delay.
“The residents of Ipswich would want to know,” she said.
However, Cr Tully did not provide a response.
The move had been framed by its proponents as an effort to streamline council communications and improve accountability.
However, the motion met with strong opposition from Cr Harding, who accused Cr Tully of attempting to silence her.
“This motion was designed to remove the mayor from any council-issued media release or response to a media enquiry,” Cr Harding said.
She also criticised Cr Tully’s actions as part of a broader strategy to undermine her authority, including a recent attempt to force her to delegate her mayoral duties to the Deputy Mayor, an action she claims was illegal and done without prior consultation.
While the motion was delayed for further discussion, it has drawn attention from leaders across the region.
Redland City Council Mayor Jos Mitchell voiced her concerns.
“Actions that diminish the mayoral role and function diminish the voice of the majority of residents who voted us in to represent them,” Cr Mitchell said.
