Peter John Flannery is an Australian politician currently serving as the mayor of the City of Moreton Bay in Queensland,[1][2] Australia's third most-populous local government area.[3]
Politics
Flannery served as a Caboolture Shire Councillor from 2004 to 2008.[4]
He served as Councillor for Division 2 of the Moreton Bay Region from 2012 to 2020.[5]
Flannery was elected mayor of the Moreton Bay Regional Council in 2020. In July 2023 during his tenure, the Moreton Bay Region was renamed the City of Moreton Bay.[6]
Homelessness controversy
On 12 December 2024, Flannery instigated a Council ban on the homeless sleeping in vans or other vehicles deemed equipped for camping, along with a ban on the homeless keeping pet animals. [7] Flannery subsequently justified this action by claiming illegal behaviour by some of the homeless and that the pet animals constituted a threat. [8] He also indicated that the situation was unacceptable and that he would stand for it no longer. [9] There was an immediate community outcry following the decision, with the issue gaining nationwide media coverage [10] and critics calling the Council out of touch and heartless, especially bearing in mind there is often no realistic alternative to sleeping in a car or van, and that pet animals are often a source of much-needed comfort to the homeless. [10]
References
- ^ "The new look Moreton Bay Regional Council". Courier Mail. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
- ^ "Councillor Peter Flannery - Mayor". mbrc.qld.gov.au. Moreton Bay Regional Council. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
- ^ "Getting to know mayor Peter Flannery". Moretondaily.com.au. Moreton Daily. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
- ^ "Councillor denies conflict of interest". Sunshine Coast Daily. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
- ^ "Peter Flannery Claims victory in Moreton Bay mayoral race". brisbanetimes.com.au. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
- ^ "New City, New Ambition, Renewed Brand". Moreton Bay City Council. Archived from the original on 25 July 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- ^ Alexandra Feiam, ‘Deeply concerning: Council bans homeless people sleeping in vans and keeping pets’, The Australian, 23 December, 2024; and Zak Wheller, Moreton Bay Mayor reveals why his Council banned the homeless from keeping pets – after the controversial move sparked a furious backlash’ Daily Mail Australia, 23 December, 2024.
- ^ Carly Bass, ‘Fury over Aussie Council's horrific move to crack down on rough sleepers and illegal camping’, Yahoo News, 17 December, 2024; and Zak Wheller, ‘Moreton Bay Mayor reveals why his Council banned the homeless from keeping pets – after the controversial move sparked a furious backlash’ Daily Mail Australia, 23 December, 2024.
- ^ Duncan Evans, ‘City of Moreton Bay in Qld votes to prohibit homeless Aussie from keeping pets in public places’, The Australian, 18 December, 2024.
- ^ a b Kenji Sato, ‘City of Moreton Bay bans sleeping in vans for homeless people, ABC, 17 December 2024; Carly Bass, ‘Fury over Assie Council's horrific move to crack down on rough sleepers and illegal camping’, Yahoo News, 17 December, 2024; Duncan Evans, ‘City of Moreton Bay in Qld votes to prohibit homeless Aussie from keeping pets in public places’, The Australian, 18 December, 2024; Zak Wheller, Moreton Bay Mayor reveals why his Council banned the homeless from keeping pets – after the controversial move sparked a furious backlash’ Daily Mail Australia, 23 December, 2024; and Alexandra Feiam, ‘Deeply concerning: Council bans homeless people sleeping in vans and keeping pets’, The Australian, 23 December, 2024.