Politics · Australia · 1 hr ago
Redlands mayor could lose her seat after councillors reject sick leave
Redlands Mayor Jos Mitchell has been on medical leave since May after saying she needed time to address a health issue.
Councillors had accepted her absence at first, but most rejected her continued leave at a September meeting.
Queensland law says a mayor’s seat can be vacated after they miss at least two consecutive general meetings over two months.
Mitchell has missed two meetings, but the state’s local government department says she cannot lose her seat until the next meeting.
A further missed meeting could put her position at risk, and she could become the first Queensland mayor removed this way.
Mitchell was elected in 2024 to a council described as deeply divided, and her spokesperson said the vote was disappointing.
The next meeting will determine whether she can retain her seat under the rules.
Redlands mayor Jos Mitchell could lose her seat after most councillors rejected her continued medical leave.
Mitchell has been on medical leave since May and has missed two general meetings.
Under Queensland law, a mayor’s seat is vacated after two or more consecutive general meetings are missed over a two-month period.
The Department of Local Government says Mitchell cannot lose her seat until the next meeting.
A spokesperson for Mitchell called the vote disappointing, while five councillors voted against her leave.
- Who
- Redlands mayor Jos Mitchell and the councillors who voted on her leave.
- What
- Most councillors rejected Mitchell’s continued medical leave, putting her seat at risk.
- When
- The leave was rejected at the September meeting; councillors also voted at a Wednesday meeting.
- Where
- Redland City Council, in south-east Queensland.
- Why
- The council considered Mitchell’s continued absence from meetings while she was on medical leave. The sources do not state why most councillors rejected the leave.
Jos Mitchell’s spokesperson
Councillors who voted against her leave
Reason for position
Jos Mitchell’s spokesperson
The spokesperson called the vote disappointing and said Mitchell had received criticism and imputations.
Councillors who voted against her leave
Five councillors voted against accepting Mitchell’s leave.
Support for leave
Jos Mitchell’s spokesperson
The spokesperson said Mitchell was away unwell and had a medical certificate.
Councillors who voted against her leave
Councillors Rowanne McKenzie, Shane Rendalls, Paul Gollé, Jason Colley and Julie Talty voted against the leave.
Mitchell said she would take medical leave for six weeks.
Councillors received a note asking for continued leave through October 31.
Most councillors voted against Mitchell’s continued leave.
Five councillors voted against accepting Mitchell’s leave, while four voted to accept it.
- Medical leave began
- May 2026
- Requested leave through
- October 31
- Vote against leave
- 5 councillors
- Vote to accept leave
- 4 councillors
- Legal threshold
- Two or more consecutive general meetings missed over a two-month period
Related
Anne Aly condemns Angie Bell’s ‘stoned in the square’ remark
1 hr ago · 4 sources
Australia’s High Court backs prisoner’s bid to freeze her eggs
1 hr ago · 2 sources
Greens seek inquiry into private school fees and Labor’s trust tax
1 hr ago · 2 sources
Chalmers says he and Albanese agreed to pause ATO credit card ban
1 hr ago · 2 sources
What people are saying
On medical advice, I have made the decision to step aside from my role as mayor for a period of six weeks to appropriately address a health issue
The vote was disappointing.
Many workplaces send ‘get well’ messages when people are away unwell,