Councillor Gemma Johnston. Photo: Facebook.
An Esperance Shire councillor made a public apology this week after a year-long investigation into a misconduct complaint against her.
At Tuesday’s Council meeting, Cr Gemma Johnston read out this apology:
“I advise this meeting that:
“1. A complaint was made to the Local Government Standards Panel in which it was alleged that I had contravened Regulation 18 of the Local Government Model Code of Conduct Regulations 2021 when I made a comment which disparaged the character and actions of another councillor of the Shire, Cr Graham, in a Facebook post.
“2. The panel found that I had breached Regulation 18 by my conduct and
“3. I acknowledge that I should have not made the Facebook comment and I now apologise to Cr Graham and my fellow councillors.”
The Weekender understands the complaint was made after Cr Johnston made a posting in April last year on the Facebook Group “We Oppose the Proposed South Coast Marine Park”.
In that posting she criticised Cr Graham after a Council meeting when he had told her he would not be attending a public protest against the marine park.
