Council CEO hiring process may have broken governance principles, insiders say
Sydney Morning Herald
by Julius Dennis, Matt DennienFebruary 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Redland City Council's hiring process for its $500,000 CEO role has raised concerns among insiders who believe it may have violated principles of the Local Government Act. The council appointed internal applicant Louise Rusan to the position in February 2025, despite her not being shortlisted by an independent recruiter or identified as a top candidate by a panel. Key details from leaked documents reveal that a closed-door meeting altered the agreed-upon recruitment process, with a staffer who reported to Rusan chairing the panel and making decisions contrary to council policy.
The process was described as secretive and non-transparent, with a vote in November 2024 initially establishing a panel of external members to recommend preferred candidates. However, following presentations by two chosen candidates, the council decided to eliminate one and instead hear from Rusan, who ranked third on the list. This decision, made without the independent panel's involvement, was questioned by long-time councillor Wendy Boglary, who expressed concerns about potential political interference.
Sources with local government experience noted that the council may have failed to uphold three core principles of the Local Government Act: transparency, good governance, and ethical behavior. The absence of Mayor Mitchell from the selection process also raised eyebrows, as it is unusual for the mayor not to chair such a significant decision. Boglary's email highlighted fears of political influence, suggesting that the altered process could undermine trust in local government.
The council has yet to respond directly on whether governance principles were broken but acknowledged the concerns and promised further comment. The case underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in public sector hiring, particularly for high-ranking positions. It also highlights the potential risks of bypassing established recruitment processes, which can lead to perceptions of favoritism or political interference.
This story matters because it reflects broader issues of governance and accountability in local government.透明度和公正是公众信任政府机构的关键，任何可能违反这些原则的行为都可能削弱公众对民主制度的信任。此事件为其他地方议会敲响了警钟，提醒他们需严格遵守招聘流程，以维护公众信心并确保决策的合法性。
Verticals
worldaustralia
Originally published on Sydney Morning Herald on 2/19/2026