Launceston councillors have passed a vote of no confidence in Mayor Matthew Garwood, following backlash over a social media post featuring American singer Ronnie Radke.
The motion, put forward by Councillor Tim Walker, passed five votes to three shortly after Thursday’s council meeting opened.
Before leaving the chamber, Garwood took responsibility for the controversy, which erupted after Radke launched a series of expletive-filled online rants in response to councillors raising concerns about the singer’s criminal history.
“I take full responsibility and I acknowledge the parts that I’ve had to play in this week’s events, the situations that it’s led to and the way in which we have come to today and this notice of motion,” Garwood said.
“I take responsibility for my part in this role. I understand that it’s caused contention and it’s really affected our community.”
“I respect that in the decisions that I’ve made personally, in my private time, that it has had a negative impact on this council and I take full ownership of that.”
Garwood also stressed that the council must not condone violence in any form.
“I look forward to continuing to be able to move forward with this and to make better choices and to really learn from this,” he said.
The controversy began after Garwood posted a photo with Radke on his personal Facebook page, taken after attending one of the musician’s shows.
Walker said the motion gave him “no pleasure whatsoever” but felt circumstances demanded it.
“I have always supported our popularly elected mayor, but as is plain from this notice of motion, he no longer has my support,” he said.
“All I’m asking today is for councillors to directly reflect upon the consequences of his actions over the past week, or inaction and to make a decision on whether they still have confidence in the mayor.”
It was clarified during the meeting that the no-confidence vote is a political statement only and does not require Garwood to resign.
Garwood will remain Mayor of Launceston unless he chooses to step down.
Councillors Andrea Dawkins and Lindi McMahon were absent from the meeting, after being targeted in Radke’s online tirade. Deputy Mayor Hugh McKenzie was also not in attendance.
The vote saw councillors Joe Pentridge and George Razay backing the mayor, while Susie Cai abstained.
