The Office of the Independent Assessor has decided not to take further action on a complaint made against Redland City Council Mayor Jocelyn Mitchell over a video posted to her official Facebook page, instead issuing a statutory recommendation aimed at preventing similar issues in the future.
The complaint, lodged on 14 January 2026, related to a video published by Mayor Mitchell on 13 January in which she addressed proposed changes to a councillor column in this newspaper.
In the complaint, the publisher alleged the mayor failed to explain the full context and rationale behind the changes, despite having been advised of them beforehand, and instead presented a selective and incomplete account to the public.
The complaint stated the mayor told residents that her “monthly column in the local newspaper has now been reduced to two annually instead of twelve,” a framing which it was alleged suggested her voice was being diminished by the newspaper and led to public criticism of the publication.
In a written notice of assessment and decision, Acting Deputy Independent Assessor Nicholas Finn said the OIA had considered the matter under Chapter 5A of the Local Government Act 2009, along with relevant provisions of the Queensland Human Rights Act.
After reviewing the complaint, supporting material, the video in question and relevant correspondence, the assessor decided not to further deal with the complaint.
“I have decided not to further deal with this complaint and instead make a statutory recommendation to the subject councillor, pursuant to section 150SD(4)(c) of the Act,” the decision said.
The assessor confirmed he reviewed emails sent to the mayor on 5 January 2026 and other dates, as well as the mayor’s public response on Facebook.
“In assessing this matter, I reviewed the emails from you to the Mayor on 5 January 2026 and other unspecified dates, as well as the Mayor’s public response via her Facebook page made on 13 January 2026,” the decision said.
The decision noted the complainant had reiterated to the mayor that the newspaper would continue to feature a mayoral column at key moments and special occasions during the year.
“In raising your concerns with the mayor about her message in the video, you re iterated your earlier email to her office, that you would continue to feature a Mayor’s column around key moments and special occasions during the year,” the assessor said.
While finding the mayor’s public statement was not technically inaccurate, the assessor said it lacked important context.
“Notably, while the mayor’s relevant statement was technically not inaccurate, it did not include relevant background and explanation for the proposed change, which she had been apprised by you and would be of relevance or interest to the public,” the decision said.
The assessor said the recommendation was intended to prevent further issues and avoid unnecessary public expense.
“The purpose of such a recommendation is to identify and prevent further issues that may, if not addressed, lead to avoidable complaints,” the decision said.
It also stressed the recommendation did not amount to a finding of misconduct.
“In making a recommendation, it is acknowledged that the allegation has not been the subject of proper determination, and as such, no adverse assertion is made about the councillor’s conduct,” the assessor said.
However, the letter included a clear warning about the implications of any future complaints of a similar nature.
“If the councillor is subject to a similar type of complaint in the future, the fact that the councillor has been given this opportunity could be a relevant factor in the assessment of that complaint,” the decision said.
No further action will be taken by the OIA at this time.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1FrfgQw3Yg/
