The mayor of Tasmania's second-largest city says there is no legal mechanism available to him to remove an elected representative from council if allegations raised by the ABC against former mayor and current councillor Danny Gibson are found to be true.
Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood made the remarks after an ABC investigation uncovered allegations of historical inappropriate conduct by Cr Gibson against young men in the theatre scene.
Cr Gibson is an influential Tasmanian theatre director and actor outside of his local government work.
Multiple people have told the ABC that Cr Gibson made unwanted advances towards them, including through physical contact, phone calls and text messages. He is also alleged to have sexted with a school theatre student.
Cr Garwood said: "These are matters for Cr Gibson."
"Councillors are democratically elected by the community and there is no legislative mechanism in Tasmania for a council to remove an elected representative."
In a statement to the ABC, a Tasmanian government spokesperson said if the allegations were found to be true, the Local Government Minister would still be unable to "vacate the office of councillor in these circumstances," as there was no legislative mechanisms that allowed them to do so.
Danny Gibson (third from left) has also acted on stage for Encore Theatre — here playing Hugo Horton in a stage show of The Vicar of Dibley. (Supplied: Encore Theatre)
Cr Gibson is a former Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year, was elected to Launceston City Council in 2011 and for years has taught drama to young people at the Stage Right Youth Theatre.
He was also involved as a director, stage manager or actor in more than a dozen shows for local amateur dramatic company Encore Theatre.
He was elected Launceston Mayor in 2022 before stepping down in May last year.
Cr Gibson's resignation came a week after the ABC put questions to the then-mayor regarding some of the allegations included in its investigation.
Danny Gibson resigned as mayor in 2023, not long after the ABC put allegations to him. (City of Launceston)
Gibson discussed at council meeting
While neither Cr Gibson nor Cr Garwood attended yesterday's scheduled Launceston council meeting, the allegations in the ABC story were raised by Cr Andrea Dawkins.
"It's a very difficult day for councillors today, and indeed for all council staff and for the Tasmanian community, who have read and understood the serious implications of the allegations that have been made," Cr Dawkins said.
"We do take it very seriously."
Andrea Dawkins commented on the allegations during Thursday's council meeting. (Supplied: Tasmanian Greens)
The remarks were followed by a statement from Cr Joe Pentridge who said he was "treading on thin ice" by commenting.
"I might even quote something out of another book that I read occasionally, 'He who hasn't sinned throw the first stone.'
"There's been some allegations made, I personally have a lot of respect for his [Cr Gibson's] ability and the time he puts into this facility.
"And he's got my support until such time as proven otherwise."
'Distressing' allegations
A Tasmanian government minister said allegations uncovered about Cr Gibson were "distressing".
When asked if the department was aware of the allegations relating to Cr Gibson sexting a Launceston College student, Education Minister Jo Palmer said the government had followed proper processes regarding the allegations.
Danny Gibson with some of the cast and crew of Encore Theatre's Blood Brothers, one of many shows he directed. (Supplied: Encore Theatre)
"It's always distressing when we hear accusations like this," Ms Palmer said.
"But there are proper processes that must be followed and of course, first and foremost, any allegation like this must be reported to the appropriate authorities."
"We don't ever want to see allegations like this."
Encore Theatre has been contacted for comment but did not respond.
Cr Gibson has been contacted for comment but did not respond.