Gold Coast councillor Brooke Patterson found to have breach code of conduct again

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3 days ago

A Gold Coast councillor has been reprimanded and ordered to apologise after an investigation found she helped create a "volatile environment" for senior staff.
An independent investigation into four allegations made against Cr Brooke Patterson, three of which were substantiated, was discussed at a council meeting on Tuesday.
Cr Patterson already had two previous conduct breach allegations against her substantiated by the council, for which she later apologised.
The latest investigation found that, on the balance of probabilities, Cr Patterson caused "distress" to city officers.
At council chambers, Cr Patterson defended her conduct, stating her passion as a community advocate "caused communication challenges".
"Since then I have grown and developed in my elected position," she said.
A code of conduct requires councillors to treat staff with "courtesy, fairness, and respect".
City councillors unanimously upheld the findings of the most recent investigation, ordering Cr Patterson to apologise and undertake communication training at her own expense.
Mayor Tom Tate will also issue a written reprimand against Cr Patterson.
The independent investigation found that Cr Patterson hosted a public town hall meeting in August 2024, where she "knowingly made statements, which were factually incorrect, misleading, and harmful to council officers" about a so-called "view tax".
The view tax was a controversial budget measure introduced by council last year that increased rates for some high-rise residents by up to 50 per cent.
"[Cr Patterson] made statements that contributed to distress among council officers, frustration among residents, and created an unsafe and volatile environment at the meeting," the investigation stated.
The investigation found that city officers prepared a PowerPoint presentation for the meeting, but Cr Patterson deleted a slide and failed to provide "essential background information" about the view tax.
"It was even mentioned, if only I had used more PowerPoint slides then people would be less upset — I would assert this indicates a most naive understanding of town hall environments" Cr Patterson told Tuesday's meeting.
The investigation stated that city officers left the meeting early and "reported distress, reputational concern, and an inability to correct misinformation, having been directed not to speak".
However, Cr Patterson told Tuesday's council meeting that she went to "great lengths to protect officers as much as possible".
"We had originally intended for the relevant officers to be at the front of the room to answer technical questions," she said.
"But within minutes of attendees entering that room, I realised this was a most agitated crowd and suggested to officers they sit at the back of the room."
In a subsequent phone call, the investigation found that Cr Patterson was "accusatory, agitated, and dismissive" towards a city officer and "made disparaging remarks about the officer's salary and professionalism".
"I understand they considered this comment to be discourteous and I apologise for the discourtesy caused."
An allegation that Cr Patterson made misleading statements to the media was not substantiated by the investigation.
Cr Patterson's conduct ahead of a council committee meeting last October was also investigated.
It alleged Cr Patterson "snatched" papers from a council employee and "in a loud and aggressive manner" and told them not to distribute the document.
The document related to a proposal that would end cash payments at council pools, which Cr Patterson said she was seeking to amend.
Witnesses, whose names were redacted, reported that the "interaction had an emotional impact" on the city officer.
At Tuesday's council meeting, Cr Patterson apologised to the officer "for disrespect she experienced".
But Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel said the code of conduct breaches set "a pattern of behaviour" he did not believe was acceptable.
"Everyday I see all the councillors in this chamber having strong debates, quite often arguments with city officers — it is our job," he told Tuesday's meeting.
"If we are able to do it without it leading to a series of allegations and now substantiations of behaviour, then Councillor Patterson should be able to do it as well."
Investigations into Cr Patterson's conduct cost the City of Gold Coast $142,000 in 2024-25.
Cr Patterson said the process under the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA) precluded "the opportunity for a standard mediation process", and instead placed "prolonged legal costs on our ratepayers".
A spokesperson for the OIA said it applied "a robust assessment process" to complaints and examined "each complaint on its individual circumstances".