Ipswich mayor says new council media policy aimed at gagging her

Ipswich City Council recently revised its media policy, allowing all councillors to utilize the communications team for creating and distributing media releases. This change, proposed by Councillor Paul Tully, aims to democratise the council and provide other councillors with the opportunity to share their perspectives with the public.

However, Mayor Teresa Harding has expressed concern over the policy, alleging that it will diminish her voice and amplify her fellow councillors'. The council's chief executive, Sonia Cooper, is uncertain about the financial impact of the amendment on ratepayers, estimating it to cost between 0.5 and two full-time-equivalent staff workloads.

Councillor Tully maintains that the modifications are modest and that the mayor will continue to serve as the council's official spokesperson. He also stated that councillors will still be able to communicate their personal views, with clear indications distinguishing their statements from those of the council. Critics, including Mayor Harding and Independent and Labor-aligned councillors, argue that the policy will result in the use of ratepayer funds to support the political profiles of individual councillors.

Harding claims this is the third or fourth attempt by a group of councillors to weaken her power within the council.

The proposal has stirred debate among councillors, with Jacob Madsen and Andrew Antoniolli defending the changes as a matter of democratic rights and the fair treatment of councillors in expressing their views. Meanwhile, Mayor Harding and Marnie Doyle voted against the amendment, citing Harding's concerns about being silenced and Madsen's apprehension about the potential for inflammatory remarks from councillors.