When did we start confusing performance with progress?
In Kiama, there’s a habit, no, a culture, of dealing with uncomfortable truths by trying to shut them down. That didn’t start with this term of council. It started in the last one, when “somebody” decided that Code of Conduct complaints were a handy tool to silence critics.
Don’t like what someone said?
Call it misconduct.
Don’t like that they challenged the ruling and won in court?
Report them to ICAC.
The logic was never about right or wrong. It was about control. And that culture is still with us.
You only have to look at what’s playing out now to see it. The faces may have changed, but the tactics haven’t. Councillors are still turning on each other. Collaboration is still in short supply. And anyone trying to lead with transparency and community focus gets caught in the crossfire.
Meet Jane Frawley.
She’s now CEO of Kiama Council, now known as Jane Stroud .
But this isn’t her first encounter with controversy.
Under her former name, Jane Frawley, she was part of a corruption investigation into Logan City Council.
Let’s be clear: she was not charged.
But she was named. She was in the room.
She saw firsthand what failed governance looks like.
Image source You’d think someone who has been through that would show more caution, more integrity, and a deeper respect for other people’s reputations.
Instead, we’re seeing something that looks a lot like payback.
“If I’ve been dragged through it, let me take a few others down with me.”
And the pattern?
The collateral damage is disproportionately falling on women.
Make of that what you will. But it’s happening. And we need to call it.
If you’re frustrated, confused, or wondering what can be done -here’s the reality check:
🦁 Office of Local Government (OLG)
Supposed to oversee councils and act as the regulator.
But unless they decide to take action (and that’s rare), your complaint could end up in a drawer.
✉️ localgovernment@olg.nsw.gov.au | 🌐 www.olg.nsw.gov.au
⚖️ NSW Ombudsman
Handles complaints about public administration – but only if OLG refers the case.
No referral? No action.
✉️ nswombo@ombo.nsw.gov.au | 🌐 www.ombo.nsw.gov.au
🕵️ ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption)
They tackle serious corruption – fraud, bribery, gross misconduct.
They’re not here for toxic workplace culture or strategic silencing.
Curious what an investigation looks like? Ask our CEO. She knows.
✉️ icac@icac.nsw.gov.au | 🌐 www.icac.nsw.gov.au
🗳️ Your Local MP
Sometimes useful. Sometimes indifferent. You may get action -or you may get a form letter.
Find yours here: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/members
🌳 The Listening Tree
Still the most honest option some days. No closed doors, no spin, no “thank you for your feedback.”
Say your truth to the gum tree. It won’t gaslight you.
So what now?
Jane Frawley/Stroud has a history. She wasn’t charged, but she was part of a council that was sacked.
You’d expect someone with that past to lead with humility.
Instead, we see a culture of blame, deflection, and internal destruction.
This isn’t about one person or one decision.
It’s about a pattern.
And patterns, when protected by silence, become power.
The way forward isn’t more letters.
It’s more questions.
It’s public scrutiny.
It’s collective pressure.
It’s remembering that while institutions have structures, communities have strength.
And it’s time we used it.
#Kiama #JaneFrawley #JaneStroud #KiamaCouncil #LocalGovernment #CouncilWatch #PublicAccountability #WomenInLeadership #StopTheCulture #ICAC #OLG #NSWOmbudsman #CivicVoice #GovernanceMatters #SilencedNoMore