Politics · Australia · 5 hrs ago
Redland mayor Jos Mitchell resigns, triggering a by-election
Jos Mitchell has resigned as Redland City mayor after months away from work.
Mitchell said she has complex health problems, has recently had major surgery and is managing an autoimmune condition.
She alleges she and her family faced harassment and vandalism, including online targeting and a drone hovering over their backyard.
Mitchell said her experiences and the work environment had made the role untenable, and that the past two and a half years had affected her family’s wellbeing.
Councillors rejected her requests to miss two meetings, leaving her at risk of losing her position if she did not attend a meeting on November 18.
Mitchell was elected in 2024, defeating former Liberal MP Andrew Laming with 52 per cent of first-preference votes.
Her resignation will trigger a by-election to choose a new mayor.
Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell has resigned, triggering a by-election.
Mitchell said she had faced a “personalised, coordinated” smear campaign and that her work environment had made the role untenable.
She said she had complex health problems, recently undergone major surgery and was navigating an autoimmune condition.
She had been off work since May, and councillors twice rejected her requests for leave from meetings.
Mitchell was elected in 2024, defeating former Liberal MP Andrew Laming with 52 per cent of first-preference votes.
- Who
- Jos Mitchell, the independent mayor of Redland City.
- What
- She resigned, triggering a by-election.
- When
- October 2026. The article was published on October 28 local time.
- Where
- Redland City.
- Why
- Mitchell said health problems, a difficult work environment and a smear campaign had made the role untenable.
Jos Mitchell
Redland City councillors
Leave from meetings
Jos Mitchell
Mitchell sought leave while managing health problems.
Redland City councillors
Councillors rejected her leave requests for the September and October meetings.
Mitchell was elected mayor, defeating former Liberal MP Andrew Laming.
Mitchell went off work.
Councillors rejected Mitchell's requests for leave from council meetings.
Mitchell resigned, triggering a by-election.
Mitchell faced the possibility of losing her post if she did not attend the council meeting.
- Election year
- 2024
- First-preference vote
- 52 per cent
- Leave requests rejected
- September and October council meetings
- Resignation
- Triggers a by-election
- Possible meeting date
- November 18
What people are saying
There have been threats, continuous accusations and harassment. Our family's cars have been vandalised, we've had a drone hover over our backyard and my husband and our daughter have been targeted online
My family has paid a heavy price for my decision to serve our community. While they have dealt with the impact with grace and dignity, no-one should have to accept it as the price of public office
I believe Australians are sick of the current state of politics, the power plays, thuggish tactics and pile-one