Redland City Council held the first meeting of the 2024-28 term following the Declaration of Office event on Monday April 8 and voted on a new Deputy Mayor.
Originally, the motion was to appoint a councillor to the role for a two year term, resulting in the need to re-elect a Deputy Mayor at the general meeting in April 2026.
Three councillors were nominated by their colleagues for the position, including Cr Julie Talty, nominated by Cr Peter Mitchell, Cr Tracey Huges, nominated by Cr Paul Golle and Cr Paul Bishop, nominated by Cr Wendy Boglary.
The meeting was adjourned for a secret ballot, as advised in the Agenda and the results were announced naming Cr Talty as Deputy Mayor nominee with seven votes (Cr Bishop received 3 and Cr Huges received 1).
Cr Peter Mitchell spoke on his endorsement of Cr Talty and said he was pleased to make the nomination.
“I think the importance of the continuity of skills and experience in a period of great disruption is why I nominated Cr Talty,” he said.
“From my view, the Deputy Mayor position is a very crucial one from the group and the city and it should be valued much more highly than perhaps it has been in the past.”
The Council was required to vote a majority in support of Cr Talty once she received the most votes, however Cr Paul Golle put forward an amendment to the motion, to lessen the Deputy Mayor term to one year.
He said, “I think it’s imperative that every councillor has the opportunity to have an experience of being a Deputy Mayor.”
Cr Golle’s amendment was seconded by Cr Boglary and supported by Cr Bishop who said there is a lot of experience behind other councillors.
“I believe we are at a time when the most important message that we need to send is to build collegiality and to share the workload.”
The amendment was put forward for a vote, resulting in a split (five for, five against) before Mayor Mitchell cast the deciding vote supporting the amendment.
The final motion was put forth to Council, recommending to appoint Cr Talty to the role of Deputy Mayor for year, to which the position will be re-elected for next year.
The motion was passed by majority vote, with councillors Boglary, Hewlett and Mayor Jos Mitchell voting against the appointment.
Cr Julie Talty will be in her new role until the general meeting in April 2025 when elected members will be required to nominate a new Deputy Mayor or re-elect Cr Talty.
