Councillor Adam Hain Reprimanded by Tribunal for Misconduct

City of Moreton Bay Councillor for Division 3, Adam Hain has finally been officially reprimanded by the Councillor Conduct Tribunal Tuesday, 7 May 2024 following findings of misconduct related to an incident in 2020.

The Tribunal found that on September 25, 2020, Cr Hain sent an email to a council employee requesting the Moreton Bay Regional Council logo for use by a local boxing club. The email, which included the statement “Please don’t ask anyone for permission [hushing emoji],” directly contravened the Council’s official “Logo Policy.” This policy stipulates that any use of the council’s logo must be authorised by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or the Communications Section, especially when external parties are involved.

The Tribunal determined that Hain’s request, sent without proper authorisation and in a manner that could be seen as exerting undue pressure on the council employee, breached the ethical and legal responsibilities outlined in the Local Government Act 2009. Specifically, it was deemed a violation of the principle requiring “ethical and legal behaviour of councillors and local government employees.”

Hain, who has served as a councillor since 2016 and was re-elected in 2020, defended his actions, claiming he was unaware of the logo policy and did not intend to circumvent it. He argued that the email was merely a request for administrative assistance and not a deliberate attempt to bypass procedures. However, the Tribunal found that the tone and content of the email suggested otherwise, highlighting the inclusion of the hushing emoji as an attempt to sidestep formal protocols.

The Tribunal emphasised that Hain, as a councillor in his second term, should have been aware of the policies in place and acted accordingly. They also noted that while the council employee ultimately followed the correct procedures, Hain’s conduct undermined the trust placed in him as a public official.

In their decision, the Tribunal ordered that Cr Hain be reprimanded but stopped short of issuing a fine. The decision marks the second time Hain has faced such allegations, following a previous misconduct finding in 2019.

The ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical governance and the need for public officials to adhere strictly to policies and procedures, especially in matters of public trust.