A REDLAND City councillor has launched a scathing attack on the integrity of the latest investigation into alleged misconduct by Mayor Jos Mitchell – as the Mayor expresses hope it will mark a turning point for Council.
Cr Paul Golle criticised the process as “deeply flawed”, saying the investigation failed to uphold natural justice, transparency or procedural fairness, despite ultimately clearing the Mayor of wrongdoing.
The investigation – the third in response to complaints referred by the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA) – centred on a Facebook post by Mayor Mitchell and her alleged failure to moderate third-party comments.
Both matters were found to be unsubstantiated by independent firm BDO.
Cr Mitchell, speaking in a video message, said she hoped the outcome would allow Council to move on.
“Today, the majority of councillors elected to uphold or stand by the findings of the independent investigator,” she said.
“So I’m hoping that this is a line in the sand with all of these anonymous complaints, and that we can concentrate very fully on the important things for the city.”
However, Cr Golle said the process itself was “not a fair, balanced, or reliable investigation”, alleging BDO had failed to act independently and had contributed to “a skewed narrative that councillors were hostile or adversarial towards the Mayor”.
He was particularly critical of BDO’s failure to interview councillors named or referenced in the Mayor’s statements, calling it “a clear breach of natural justice”.
“Councillors who were named or implicated in allegations have been denied the fundamental right to defend themselves,” he said.
“This absence of process runs contrary to the principles of procedural fairness … particularly when reputational damage is at stake.”
Cr Golle raised concerns about the role of the Mayor’s private legal counsel, alleging they played an “active verbal role during the interview process”, effectively shielding the Mayor from scrutiny.
He further questioned the relevance of older incidents referenced in the investigation, some dating back to 2015, which he said contributed to a broader narrative designed to “marginalise dissent and consolidate executive authority”.
Cr Mitchell acknowledged the toll the investigations had taken, both financially and personally.
“So, there’s been about $45,000 spent to date on the investigations alone – not including staff time. With each investigation, it’s about at least a week of my time spent being interviewed for hours, collating information, travelling to the city, hours spent in deliberation. I don’t want to have my time taken up like that,” she said.
Despite Cr Golle’s concerns, a motion by Cr Paul Bishop to accept the BDO findings passed 7-2.
Cr Jason Colley declared a conflict of interest and did not vote, and Cr Mitchell also abstained.
The confidential attachments to the investigation will be made public within 10 business days, subject to redactions under the Local Government Act.
Of 931 complaints received by the OIA between July 2024 and May 2025, 22 have been referred to local government as suspected conduct breaches, including three involving Cr Mitchell.
Cr Golle has called for full transparency, including public release of the unredacted evidence behind the report.
“Public confidence in the integrity of the process can only be maintained through full disclosure and accountability,” he said.
