May Retains Deputy Mayor Position After Motion To Vacate

Cracks showed in a seemingly splintered Council at this week’s Mackay Regional Council Ordinary Meeting when Councillor Martin Bella put forward a motion to declare the position of Deputy Mayor as vacant.

Councillor Karen May has been voted into the position by the councillors as the Deputy Mayor in both 2016 and 2020 following local government elections.

Cr Bella in support of his motion cited the rotation of the role provides a professional development opportunity for councillors as well as allowing different councillors to bring varied experiences to the role. Also, being the halfway point of the Council term, this is the appropriate time to consider rotation of the role.

The resulting discussion during the June 8 meeting was robust yet fair, as councillors spoke in favour or against the motion.

Councillor Laurence Bonaventura spoke in favour of the motion.

“We’re just over two years into this term and in some ways we’re no closer to having focus points to concentrate on as councillors,” Cr Bonaventura said.

“We’re elected to represent the region. We are a diverse group with a skilled base that covers many areas, councillors need the ability to use those skills to enhance this Council.

“We have less than two years left to achieve a good working relationship with each other. We don’t need to be in a position that leaves any of us behind, without a role, or feeling like we’re not being treated as equals,” he said.

Cr May addressed the Council by saying she takes the role seriously and that it had been a privilege to serve in it for the past two years.

“I have given it my all to undertake this role,” Cr May said.

Cr May also said when she was appointed as Deputy Mayor in 2020, she had thought it was for the whole term of Council.

“As has been the case in previous Council’s since the amalgamation in 2008,” she noted.

“I don’t consider this role to be a professional development opportunity as you need to be able to perform the role immediately.”

Councillor Michelle Green spoke via video link against the motion.

“I think it would be in the best interest of the 1,100 employees, stakeholders local, state and national of this $350 million organisation, and importantly the residents of the Mackay Region, to (not) rotate the role of Deputy Mayor for the sake of the personal development of one councillor,” Cr Green said.

“Councillor Karen May was the clear, number one vote holder, in both the 2016 and 2020 elections. She clearly has overwhelming support of this community, she’s the most experienced councillor at this table, in my opinion she has proven her value time and again both in Chambers and out in the community as Deputy Mayor,” Cr Green added.

“This is not a training role, it’s not a step-up role, it’s a very important role that supports the Mayor and the community, therefore she has my full support to continue.”

Council then voted, with four votes supporting the motion and seven against. The Deputy Mayor position was not declared as vacated and Cr May retains the position.

Deputy Mayor Karen May addressed Council at the Ordinary Meeting on June 8. Photo credit: Amanda Wright

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