Launceston Mayor Danny Gibson has made a shock announcement that he will resign, following reports his working with vulnerable people registration was under review. WHY HE DECIDED TO WALK AWAY >
In a statement on Facebook on Monday afternoon, Mr Gibson said “after careful consideration” he made the “difficult decision” to step down as mayor.
“I have loved being mayor and given it my all – more than my all – but the past few weeks have been too much,” Mr Gibson said.
He cited being the “target of speculation, rumour and vile attacks” over reports and “persistent and relentless questioning” over the status of his Working with Vulnerable People Registration as the reason for his decision.
His resignation comes after an April statement in which Mr Gibson said he “intended to continue” to fulfil his mayoral duties.
Launceston Mayor Danny Gibson with City of Launceston’s Creative Arts and Cultural Services general manager Shane Fitzgerald and cosplayers Dan Chugg, Kaleb Lee, Chris Stephens, Amy de Wit and Brandon Richardson. Picture: Supplied
“ … And I am, of course, complying with all obligations under the Registration to Work With Vulnerable People Act 2013 while this review takes place,” he wrote at the time.
The Mercury has previously reported that Mr Gibson had not been informed by the Department of Justice as to why his registration was placed under review in March.
ABC News reported the department was undertaking the review.
In his statement on Monday afternoon, Mr Gibson said while he was “devastated” to be stepping down, he believed it was in the “best interests of Launceston” – adding that he could not lead “appropriately with such misplaced focus”.
“I want to reiterate that no final resolution regarding my registration has been arrived at, which has created a vacuum in which the worst possible claims have circulated,” Mr Gibson wrote.
Mr Gibson said the claims had pushed his mental health to “breaking point”.
“Claims and allegations are being made, not in a court of law, or by any authority, but online and through the ABC where I have little chance to properly defend myself,” he wrote.
“I wish I had the strength to rise above it, to battle through it, but my mental health has reached breaking point.”
Launceston Mayor Danny Gibson with Stacy File and James Harding, festival directors of BeerFest Australia. Picture: Alex Treacy
He said he was unhappy that the “focus” had switched from Launceston, to him.
“It is clear that the individuals spreading smear, innuendo and outright lies about me will stop at nothing in their attempts to destroy me and my reputation,” he wrote.
“The issue has taken a massive toll on my wellbeing and it has become a distraction from the important work of the city of Launceston.”
He said resigning was the “hardest decision” he’d ever made.
“I have loved being mayor and I’m proud to have given my absolute all in the service of the community I love,” he wrote.
A Department of Justice spokeswoman said they were unable to comment on the progress of Mr Gibson’s registration review.
“Section 54 of the Registration to Work With Vulnerable People Act 2013 prohibits the regulator commenting on the registration status of individuals,” the spokeswoman said.
Mr Gibson’s resignation will be effective as of Tuesday, May 16.
It was previously reported that Mr Gibson held the registration to undertake work in coaching and tuition, and in the performing arts – but that it was not needed to perform his mayoral duties.
Mr Gibson became Mayor of Launceston in 2022 and previously held the position of Deputy Mayor.
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