Peter Flannery (politician)

Councillor Peter Flannery
Mayor of the City of Moreton Bay known as Moreton Bay Region until 2023
Incumbent
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	Toowoomba, Queensland
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Independent
Spouse	Annemarie Flannery
Children	9 including step children
Military service
Allegiance	Australia
Branch/service	Australian Army
Years of service	1983–1994

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]

Politics

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]

References

1. "The new look Moreton Bay Regional Council". Courier Mail. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
2. "Councillor Peter Flannery - Mayor". mbrc.qld.gov.au. Moreton Bay Regional Council. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
3. "Getting to know mayor Peter Flannery". Moretondaily.com.au. Moreton Daily. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
4. "Councillor denies conflict of interest". Sunshine Coast Daily. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
5. "Peter Flannery Claims victory in Moreton Bay mayoral race". brisbanetimes.com.au. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
6. "New City, New Ambition, Renewed Brand". Moreton Bay City Council. Archived from the original on 25 July 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
7. Alexandra Feiam, ‘Deeply concerning: Council bans homeless people sleeping in vans and keeping pets’, The Australian, 23 December, 2024; and Zak Wheller, Moreton Bay Mayor reveals why his Council banned the homeless from keeping pets – after the controversial move sparked a furious backlash’ Daily Mail Australia, 23 December, 2024.
8. Carly Bass, ‘Fury over Aussie Council's horrific move to crack down on rough sleepers and illegal camping’, Yahoo News, 17 December, 2024; and Zak Wheller, ‘Moreton Bay Mayor reveals why his Council banned the homeless from keeping pets – after the controversial move sparked a furious backlash’ Daily Mail Australia, 23 December, 2024.
9. Duncan Evans, ‘City of Moreton Bay in Qld votes to prohibit homeless Aussie from keeping pets in public places’, The Australian, 18 December, 2024.
10. Kenji Sato, ‘City of Moreton Bay bans sleeping in vans for homeless people, ABC, 17 December 2024; Carly Bass, ‘Fury over Assie Council's horrific move to crack down on rough sleepers and illegal camping’, Yahoo News, 17 December, 2024; Duncan Evans, ‘City of Moreton Bay in Qld votes to prohibit homeless Aussie from keeping pets in public places’, The Australian, 18 December, 2024; Zak Wheller, Moreton Bay Mayor reveals why his Council banned the homeless from keeping pets – after the controversial move sparked a furious backlash’ Daily Mail Australia, 23 December, 2024; and Alexandra Feiam, ‘Deeply concerning: Council bans homeless people sleeping in vans and keeping pets’, The Australian, 23 December, 2024.