Road Safety advocate, Judy Lindsay, has launched a petition for the removal of Redland City Council Mayor, Karen Williams, following her alcohol-fuelled car accident last week.
The Mayor had been taking part in an online video call with Ms Lindsay – who lost her daughter, Hayley, to the actions of a drunk driver in 2009 – and other families of drink driving victims less than an hour before she chose to get behind the wheel of her car having consumed “several” glasses of wine at a Council function.
Ms Lindsay’s E-petition, which went live on Queensland’s Parliamentary website last night, received 1,000 signatures in just the first 12 hours. The petition has been sponsored by Member for Capalaba, Don Brown.
“As her local MP, I am proud to sponsor Judy’s petition calling for Karen Williams to be removed from her position as Redland City Mayor,” Mr Brown said.
“I have worked with Judy for some time now and have witnessed her work as a tireless advocate for road safety across the breadth and depth of this state.”
Meanwhile, Redland City Council CEO, Andrew Chesterman yesterday released a statement, saying it was “business as usual” for the city council.
“This is an upsetting time for many in the Redlands Coast community, including dedicated Redland City Council employees who work every day to make our city a better place,” said Mr Chesterman.
He said Council was aware of the single-vehicle accident involving the Mayor that followed a Council function following the adoption of a $396 million budget for 2022-23.
“A small post-budget thank you event was held in the Councillor Lounge on the afternoon of 23 June.”
“The event, attended by most Councillors and a small number of Council employees, complied with Council guidelines.”
Mr Chesterman said Council employees attended the function for “a short time only”.
“It is business as usual for Council as the organisation continues to deliver its services to the Redlands Coast community,” he said.
“It is clear that the CEO threw Karen’s core Councillors under the bus with his statement yesterday afternoon about drinking at Council. He knows there is investigation coming and he wants to protect the staff, which is honourable,” said Mr Brown in response to the Council media statement.
To sign the petition, follow this link.
