REDLAND City councillor Paul Gleeson has been reprimanded by mayor Karen Williams over his conduct during a confrontation with a constituent after a social media outburst.
The incident has also prompted Cr Williams and deputy mayor Wendy Boglary to review codes of conduct early next year, with a view to strengthening them.
The original incident occurred in July and followed comments made by Alexandra Hills resident Dan Ling and Cr Gleeson on Facebook.
Cr Williams found the complaint had been partly substantiated.
She reprimanded Cr Gleeson for inappropriate conduct and behaving in a manner that was below that which was expected of a councillor.
Mr Ling alleged in July that – after a Facebook set-to – Cr Gleeson phoned him, leaving a message saying “we're coming around and going to sort this out”.
Mr Ling said Cr Gleeson arrived at his home soon after and tried to enter the front door. Mr Ling had a visitor at the time, Cr Murray Elliott, who was in the kitchen and heard the exchange.
Mr Ling ordered Cr Gleeson to leave, called police and reported the matter to Redland City Council.
Cr Gleeson said the incident occurred after Mr Ling made Facebook comments about his personal life and was disparaging towards John Talty, the husband of LNP Springwood candidate and councillor Julie Talty.
He said he had not tried to enter Mr Ling’s home and went there because he did not answer his phone.
He said Mr Ling had a view that the families of politicians were fair game, with which he disagreed.
Cr Williams said that in this instance Cr Gleeson’s conduct was unacceptable and in breach of codes of conduct.
“In recent weeks a number of complaints have been received from residents who have been appalled by the online behaviour of local politicians at all levels,” she said.
“Politics in this city has plunged to a new low magnified by the nasty use of social media sites such as Facebook, not just of those anonymous profiles that regularly try to shatter the integrity and good intentions of others with hateful posts, but sadly by a few of our elected representatives at all three levels,” she said.
“Social media outlets and leaks have become the tools to humiliate others and, more disturbingly, a tool to distract everyone from the real issues and real opportunities.
“It is cowardly behaviour and completely unacceptable for any adult, let alone those in leadership roles.”
A letter had been sent to all councillors, saying they were part of the public face of council and that there was a need to be respectful and courteous in all communications.
“Continuation of these often quite grubby personal vendettas, aided by leaks from within to smear colleagues, serves to not only tarnish our names as politicians but to severely damage the proud reputation this city has built up over many years and which we should be protecting at all cost,” she said.
