A CONFIDENTIAL investigation report has cleared the Redland Mayor of allegations that she misrepresented the facts surrounding a site visit to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI).
The investigation, conducted by BDO and tabled at Redland City Council’s general meeting on April 16, examined comments made by Mayor Jos Mitchell in a Facebook video and post in late 2024.
The investigation assessed whether her statements that she was not invited to the July 30 visit, along with three other councillors, amounted to a misrepresentation.
The now-public report concludes there is “documentary and interview evidence” to support that Mayor Mitchell was not initially invited to the July site visit, which was organised by other councillors and senior staff without her knowledge.
Mayor Mitchell said in the Facebook video: “I wasn’t there because I, along with three other councillors, weren’t invited.”
Investigators found that this claim was substantiated.
While organisers had arranged the visit some months in advance, no formal invitation was sent to the Mayor.
She only learned of the visit by chance on July 3 via a reply-all email to a calendar invitation for an unrelated budget workshop.
The next day, Mayor Mitchell emailed expressing interest in attending, writing: “I would like to join you if possible.”
Despite this request, she received no confirmation or further details.
A later meeting with staff suggested the date might be changed to accommodate her, but no follow-up occurred.
The report found that the Mayor did not receive an invitation to the original July visit and only became aware on the day it took place that other councillors and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) members were attending.
Her Facebook comment on December 9, 2024, in which she stated: “I was not informed a delegation would be visiting SMBI,” was also found to be supported by evidence.
Emails included in the investigation confirm that the Mayor was not included in a chain on July 27-29 in which staff extended invitations to other councillors and ELT members.
These were sent just days before the visit.
Mayor Mitchell only became aware of the full delegation’s involvement after the event had taken place.
The report also addressed concerns about edited Facebook comments, but determined they remained factual and consistent
with the Mayor’s understanding based on the information available to her at the time.
While the investigation stops short of criticising those who planned the visit, it suggests there was a lack of clarity and communication that contributed to the misunderstanding.
Mayor Mitchell’s statement has now been officially deemed not misleading, and no breach of conduct was found.
The full investigation has now been published in Council meeting documents.
Mayor Mitchell, who was elected to office in March 2024, has not publicly commented on the investigation.
The cost of undertaking the investigation was $15,592.
