Ratepayers in the Town of Port Hedland have renewed calls for Mayor Peter Carter to step aside from the council after he was asked to resign from a local school board due to alleged "lewd" conduct during an online meeting.
Former shire president Arnold Carter, who is no relation to Peter Carter, said the Mayor's conduct was making it difficult for local businesses to attract investment, while Education Minister Sue Ellery described Peter Carter's alleged conduct during the meeting as "confronting".
The WA Department of Education confirmed a complaint had been received by the chair of the Hedland Senior High School board about Peter Carter's "inappropriate" conduct during an online meeting in March, and the principal had asked him to resign from the board.
“School board members are held to the highest standards of conduct and hold a position of trust as a voice that represents the community," director general Lisa Rodgers said.
The Mayor resigned from the board, but is now facing renewed pressure to step down after a series of public controversies that locals said had damaged the town's reputation.
The Mayor has previously been criticised for comments he made about a local woman's mental health, for which he later apologised, and he was also the subject of an unsubstantiated report in The Australian regarding his business dealings.
During a council meeting in December, members of the public used question time to demand the Mayor stand down.
Port Hedland Ratepayers Association chair and former shire president Arnold Carter said it was time for Peter Carter to step aside as mayor.
"I think the time has come, if you're a mayor of a town or local government, which I have been, you've got to be absolutely scrupulous in what you do," he said.
Arnold Carter said the Mayor's conduct had damaged the reputation of the town and made it difficult for local businesses to attract investment.
"Apart from mining promotion in Port Hedland, private enterprise is just non-existent," he said.
"When you're representing the Town of Port Hedland, you've got to be thinking of that town and you've got to be thinking of the people."
Minister condemns conduct
Education Minister Sue Ellery said it was fortunate senior students from the school had not been at the board meeting as part of their studies, and described Mr Carter's behaviour as "confronting".
“We need people on school boards to conduct themselves with the highest level of integrity," she said.
“It must have been quite confronting for board members to see that kind of ... conduct happening live on their screens."
Peter Carter has declined requests for an interview but said in a text message he would not be responding to requests for comment.
"It's my personal stuff, let's leave it at that, it was just a stupid mistake," he said.
A Town of Port Hedland spokesperson said council was aware of the incident and would liaise with the school board to find a replacement for Mr Carter.
"The Town cannot comment on the matters that led to Mr Carter's resignation from the School Board," the spokesperson said.
"The Town is committed to providing strong leadership and is focused on strengthening our community."
