Brisbane Greens Councillor Trina Massey has refuted accusations of distributing an “antisemitic” council-funded newsletter, calling the claims “shameful and defamatory.” The controversy centers on a newsletter sent to residents of her Gabba ward in September 2024.
Newsletter and Independent Review
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner released an independent report on Wednesday examining the newsletter. The publication featured an interview with a Palestinian refugee family living in Brisbane and included a timeline summarizing the Israel-Palestine war, also referencing a “genocide” against Palestinians.
While the independent investigator’s report did not conclude the newsletter was antisemitic, it determined that Councillor Massey inappropriately used $10,000 in ratepayer funds to promote a “one-sided personal agenda” unrelated to local government matters.
Council Response and Councillor’s Rebuttal
The Brisbane City Council’s Ethics Committee ordered Councillor Massey on Monday to apologize for the newsletter and reimburse the $10,000 spent on its distribution. At a press conference on Wednesday, Lord Mayor Schrinner stated that while the Ethics Committee may not be able to compel an apology, Councillor Massey has a “moral responsibility” to issue one.
Cr. Schrinner publicly called on Cr. Massey to “stop fanning the flames of hatred and antisemitism” in connection with the newsletter. He also denied that the timing of the report’s release was linked to the recent terror attack in Bondi, Sydney, which resulted in 15 deaths, stating he received the report on November 24th and the council needed time to review the findings.
Councillor Massey countered that the Lord Mayor’s actions were politically motivated, accusing the LNP of exploiting the Bondi tragedy to discredit her advocacy for peace. She maintains the newsletter is not antisemitic and was developed with input from the Jewish Council of Australia, described as a Jewish anti-Zionist organisation. She has not yet indicated whether she will repay the $10,000 and is currently considering her options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main finding of the independent report?
The report did not find the newsletter to be antisemitic, but it did find that Councillor Massey inappropriately used ratepayer funds to promote a “one-sided personal agenda.”
How much money is Councillor Massey being asked to repay?
Councillor Massey has been ordered to repay $10,000, which was the amount spent on issuing the two-page newsletter.
Did the Lord Mayor link the report’s release to the Bondi terror attack?
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner denied any connection between the timing of the report’s release and the Bondi terror attack, stating he received the report on November 24th.
As the Ethics Committee’s authority to compel an apology remains unclear, it is possible Councillor Massey will continue to challenge the ruling. Further legal action or public debate surrounding the appropriate use of council funds for politically sensitive topics could also unfold.
