Peter Flannery (politician)
Australian politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Peter Flannery | |
|---|---|
| |
| Mayor of the City of Moreton Bay known as Moreton Bay Region until 2023 | |
| Assumed office 28 March 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Allan Sutherland |
| Moreton Bay Regional Councillor for Division 2 | |
| In office 28 April 2012 – 28 March 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Chris Whiting |
| Succeeded by | Mark Booth |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Party | Independent |
| Spouse | Annemarie Flannery |
| Children | 9 including step children |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Australia |
| Branch/service | Australian Army |
Years of service | 1983–1994 |
Political career
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]
