PETER DUTTON AND MEAGHAN SCANLON WEIGH IN ON CALLS FOR REDLANDS MAYOR KAREN WILLIAMS TO...
0Peter Dutton and Meaghan Scanlon weigh in on calls for Redlands Mayor Karen Williams to resign
The federal Opposition Leader and Queensland's Environment Minister have echoed criticism of a south east Queensland mayor who admitted to getting behind the wheel and crashing her car after drinking 'several glasses of wine' on Thursday night. Redland City Council Mayor Karen Williams said she was 'deeply sorry' but had no plans to step down from the top job. which she had held for 10 years. On Saturday. state MP Don Brown urged Ms Williams to tender her resignation over the incident and fellow councillors have condemned her actions. Minister for Youth Affairs and the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Meaghan Scanlon on Sunday echoed those comments. 'It's good that she has acknowledged at least that she shouldn't have driven under the influence.' she said. 'But it's pretty untenable for a mayor to remain in that position — particularly given some of the horrible things that have happened to families in her own community that she said that she would advocate for.' Ms Williams recently joined the families of Matthew Field and Kate Leadbetter in calling for tougher youth justice laws. after they were struck and killed by a stolen car driven by a teenager under the influence of drugs and alcohol in 2021. She was the principal petitioner behind an online petition to appeal the sentence of the now 18 year old driver. which has more than 50.000 signatures. A petition against the sentence of the man jailed for killing Katherine Leadbetter and her partner Matthew Field when he struck them with a stolen car last year garnered tens of thousands of signatures. Read more Ms Williams met with members of victims' families via zoom just hours before the crash. Ms Williams said on Saturday she had spoken to the families since the incident. 'I have spoken to those families and I will continue to offer any support that they may require.' she said. Ms Scanlon said she did not believe Ms Williams could continue as mayor. 'When you look at the fact that Karen Williams was on the phone to families who had lost a loved one to drink driving and then an hour later got in the car under the influence. that's pretty untenable.' she said. 'I absolutely understand why some of these victims' families are calling for the resignation of that one mayor.' Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton expressed a similar sentiment. 'I think the message here is that people have to take responsibility for their own actions. and drink driving is completely unacceptable.' he said. 'People make mistakes from time to time. but particularly for community leaders. we need to set a very strong example and in terms of actions accountabilities and consequences. 'My message. particularly as a former police officer. is to not have that extra drink. Don't drink and drive. I mean. there's no excuse for it. and the consequences can be deadly.' In her role as mayor. Ms Williams was appointed to the Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. However. Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said that she had informed him she 'won't be continuing as a member'. Councillors chime in Councillor Adelia Berridge posted on social media to call for Ms Williams to step down from her role. 'I think the mayor needs to resign.' she said. 'I have immense respect for our CEO and the team he leads. I called him today to discuss my situation and advise him I'm now publicly requesting for the mayor to resign. I had hoped I would not have to do this. but the CEO can't ask for her resignation. 'I have previously raised three complaints including the CCC about the booze parties and I hope now this will change.' Councillor Peter Mitchell has said the mayor 'will have to own her mistake and any consequence'. 'As a councillor. I will be seeking all pertinent police and related statutory information and discussing implications further with colleagues and [the] council CEO.' he said. On Saturday. councillor Wendy Boglary told the ABC...
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