Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell is under fresh investigation by Queensland’s councillor watchdog over allegations she misled the community in public commentary about the appointment of the council’s chief executive officer with her past public support for the CEO now at the centre of the controversy.
The Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA) has directed Redland City Council to investigate the Mayor’s conduct following statements made in March 2026 regarding the signing of the CEO’s employment contract.
The probe comes despite the Mayor having received an official warning from the OIA in January, which recommended she seek guidance from the State Government-appointed advisor to ensure the accuracy of her public statements.
At the centre of the investigation are claims by Mayor Mitchell that she refused to sign the CEO’s contract due to concerns about the recruitment process.
However, email evidence suggests the Mayor was overseas at the time the contract required signing and had delegated the responsibility to Deputy Mayor Julie Talty.
The Mayor had also publicly stated her refusal to sign was based on concerns about the hiring process, despite having previously voted in favour of appointing CEO Louise Rusan and authorising a media release issued in her name supporting the appointment.
In that February 2025 announcement, Mayor Mitchell publicly backed Ms Rusan, stating: “Councillors feel Louise will play an important role in supporting Council to set the new corporate and city plans.
“Louise’s experience in driving community-focused outcomes within complex organisations will ensure critical strategies, that shape how our region will thrive over the next two decades, deliver for our community.”
The statements are now being scrutinised alongside her more recent claims, which suggested she opposed aspects of the recruitment process.
The OIA has referred the matter back to council for investigation into potential breaches of the Councillor Code of Conduct.
The alleged breaches relate to:
- Standard 2.1 – requiring councillors to treat colleagues, council staff and the public with courtesy, honesty and fairness
- Standard 3.3 – requiring councillors to maintain and strengthen public trust and avoid actions that may diminish the integrity or standing of local government
The investigation adds to ongoing scrutiny around governance and leadership at Redland City Council, and comes just a day after it was revealed the city recorded the highest number of councillor complaints in Queensland in the first half of 2025/26.
Figures tabled in State Parliament showed Redland again topped the state for complaints lodged with the OIA, reinforcing concerns about conduct and governance within the chamber.
It is understood council will now be required to undertake its own investigation process and report findings in line with OIA directions.
