General News
16 July, 2026
Cr Eden refuses apology
CAIRNS Mayor Amy Eden has refused to apologise for being found guilty of a third misconduct finding against her.
The first 30 minutes of yesterday’s ordinary council meeting descended into chaos as the Mayor traded verbal blows with her councillors and chief executive officer Ken Gouldthorp over her public admission related to a separate misconduct finding where she failed to disclose a conflict of interest between her and a close personal friend while confirming the council’s preferred suppliers in 2023.
Cr Eden refused any questions or debate on the matter until Cr Matthew Tickner (Div. 2) moved a motion of dissent around asking questions.
She refused to accept the motion, citing advice from the director-general of the Department of Local Government, which was refuted by Mr Goulthorp.
“You cannot interrupt me now. Thank you, Mr CEO. You cannot interrupt me,” Cr Eden said.
Cr Brett Moller (Div.1) then moved a point of order.
“I move the motion of unsuitable meeting conduct by the Mayor in not putting Cr Tickner’s motion to debate,” he said.
Cr Eden then tried to adjourn the meeting to seek further advice from the local government department but was told by Mr Gouldthorp she must allow a vote on the unsuitable meeting conduct motion which was then passed unanimously by the nine councillors.
Deputy Mayor Brett Olds demanded the Mayor apologise for the misconduct finding and two earlier findings.
“I think as a leader, you take responsibility for your actions. And I should think everyone in this room deserves an apology from you,” he said.
He said Cr Eden had brought the council into disrepute and had eroded the community’s trust in the council. The public also regarded the council as a “rabble”.
Cr Eden denied suggestions from Cr Kristy Vallely that two previous councillors at the time of her conflict of interest matter had advised her she did have a conflict of interest and should declare it.
Cr Moller told the meeting that there was no joy in witnessing the Mayor’s behaviour in the chamber.
“This is the second time that you have tried to close down debate in respect to your admission of misconduct,” he said.
“In the interest of open and transparent behaviour and acting in the public interest, do you believe in not allowing your fellow councilors the opportunity to ask you some questions for the benefit of our residents?,” he said.
“I believe that my fellow councillors, if they were truly interested in the reputation and the best interests of their community, that they would encourage the residents to read the required the documents that are there and would pay the respect to the tribunal to the process that has been undertaken,” Cr Eden said. “It’s not an easy thing for anyone to have to make an admission”.
Cr Eden also refused to reply to questions from Cr Rhonda Coghlan, who asked whether the Mayor would report back to the council about the conflict of interest training and who would be paying for the training.
“The attendance, as per the recommendation of the requirement under the tribunal standards, is yet to be determined, and accordingly, I will comply with that and do the training,” she said.
