Newcastle Liberal councillor, Lisa Tierney has resigned saying she can no longer cope with the bullying and harassment allegedly dished out to staff and councillors by the city's Lord Mayor on a daily basis.
It is reported that Lisa Tierney was in Brisbane last night when she sent her letter of resignation to Council's Acting Chief Executive, Frank Cordingley just half and hour before the scheduled start of last night's council meeting.
Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes has strongly denied the claims but says she makes no apology for holding councillors to account for their attendance at council meetings, noting Cr Tierney had been absent on many occasions last year and has done the right thing in stepping aside if other commitments prevent her attending meetings.
Deputy Lord Mayor Jason Dunn today expressed support for Mayor Nelmes, saying,"We've had no issues raised in the past...of any bullying or any harassment of councillors or staff; so I find [Councillor Tierney's allegations] quite surprising and believe it's just nonsense and a cheap shot on her way out by a disgruntled councillor."
Councillor Nelmes described the accusations against her as a thinly veiled smear attempt by the Liberal Party.
Jason Dunn further commented, “Whether it’s personally aimed at the Lord Mayor or more of a political stunt I don’t know, but it is a little coincidental now that we have an election date, all these stories are starting to leak out…my personal view is that it’s some sort of political campaign. It’s very disappointing when we’ve still got important work to do at Council.”
Lisa Tierney is also concerned about the amount of overseas travel taken by councillors, calling for the Office Of Local Government to suspend the council and conduct an investigation into her claims.
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| Lisa Tierney |
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| Newcastle Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes |
