Christensen’s Exit Sparks Scrutiny Of Bullying Culture In Council

By Amanda Wright

After nearly two decades in public office, George Christensen has resigned from Mackay Regional Council, effective last Friday, citing urgent family responsibilities and voicing serious concerns about the culture within council chambers.

The former federal MP, who returned to local government in 2024 after serving four terms in Canberra as the Member for Dawson, announced his resignation during last week’s ordinary council meeting. While his departure marks the end of an extensive 19-year career representing the Mackay region, Mr Christensen made it clear his decision was not driven by political pressure or media scrutiny, but by a personal matter requiring him to become a full-time carer for his daughter.

“This has not been an easy decision,” Mr Christensen said in a statement.

“But sometimes, there are responsibilities that rise above politics, above titles, and even above public service. And for me, that responsibility is family.”

While Mr Christensen’s resignation was framed with dignity and discretion, he also delivered a pointed parting message: the bullying culture in Mackay Regional Council is real—and unacceptable.

In remarks that will likely prompt further scrutiny, Mr Christensen alleged that one councillor regularly intimidates others in the chamber, particularly targeting female colleagues. He described an environment where yelling and belittlement have replaced respectful debate, and where legitimate questions are met with hostility rather than discussion.

“One councillor said they’d never seen such behaviour in any professional setting,” he said.

“Another told me they were snapped at simply for saying ‘hello’.”

These are not isolated complaints, Mr Christensen suggested. Residents—particularly women—have allegedly experienced similar behaviour in community settings, raising serious questions about the conduct and accountability of elected representatives.

Complaints have reportedly been lodged with the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA), though Christensen expressed little faith in the body’s capacity to address councillor misconduct, accusing it of acting as a shield for bureaucracy rather than as an agent of oversight.

This isn’t the first time Mackay Regional Council has come under fire for internal dysfunction, but Mr Christensen’s allegations strike a new chord, particularly given the high proportion of female councillors currently serving. If substantiated, the claims point to a culture of intimidation at odds with both democratic values and modern workplace standards.

The situation demands clear and immediate answers, not only for the councillors directly affected, but for the broader community that expects transparency and professionalism from its local government.

In the wake of his departure, Christensen leaves behind a legacy shaped by staunch local advocacy, from sugarcane protection to infrastructure upgrades and constituent support. Whether one agreed with his political style or not, few could doubt his long-standing commitment to representing the Mackay community, first as a councillor in 2004, and then as a federal MP from 2010 to 2022.

Now, with a daughter who needs him more than ever, Christensen is stepping away from politics for the right reasons. But his final act—shining a light on a toxic culture within the chamber, demands more than reflection.

It requires action.

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Cr George Christensen during his final ordinary meeting at Mackay Regional Council, standing alongside fellow councillors Alison Jones, Belinda Hassan, Heath Paton, Nathenea MacRae, Ash-Lee Johnson and Namarca Corowa. Photo supplied

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