NSW council fires GM for calling wrong name in mayoral hat draw
Clarence Valley Council terminated Laura Black's contract after she declared the wrong mayoral winner in a hat draw.
Black was fired after an extraordinary meeting called to force her to resign or face termination. Incumbent Mayor Ray Smith and Cr Peter Johnstone were tied; Smith's name was drawn from a hat, but Black announced Johnstone as the winner instead.
When discovered, Johnstone resigned as mayor. The council cited a breakdown between Black and most councillors that made it dysfunctional.
She received 38 weeks pay plus entitlements, totalling about 272 thousand dollars. Councillors noted she had not been warned of any dispute or performance issues beforehand.
- $272,000
- GM's severance
- $372,591
- GM's salary 2024-25
- October 7, 2022
- GM appointment date
- Five years
- Original contract term
Why it mattersA large severance payout for what appears to be a single procedural error raises questions about employment law and council governance.
