My name is Adelia Berridge and from 2020 to 2024 I was a Councillor at Redland City Council. During that time I had around 50 complaints, all dismissed by the Office of Independent Assessor. Redland City Council is now demanding $1,500 from me to cover legal costs for an internal complaint they initiated against me—despite my having already paid $2,200 for my own legal defence over a year ago. The Council acted as both prosecutor and judge, and is now pursuing me for reimbursement, ignoring the legal advice I obtained and funded personally.

The issue arose in December 2023, just before the Council election. During a meeting, a Councillor alleged I had a conflict of interest on a development matter. I explained that the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA) had dismissed a previous complaint, clearing me of any wrongdoing. Despite this, I was later excluded from the discussion and vote—an action I believe denied me natural justice and representation of my community.

I engaged legal representation, which submitted a letter outlining 49 points showing the Council process had either breached the Local Government Act or failed to provide procedural fairness. Council ignored this and, after a closed-door discussion, voted to uphold an internal complaint of "unsuitable conduct." They demanded I issue a public apology (which I did) and pay $1,500 for their legal reimbursement, and my legal defence was never addressed.

I refused to pay and was later served with court papers. I then discovered the Council spent over $11,700 of public money pursuing this case raising serious questions and concerns about motives and proportionality.

At the same time, I have been undergoing aggressive cancer treatment: surgery, radiation, and 14 months of chemotherapy with heart complications. Despite my health, I’m fighting this to defend my reputation and call out what I believe is targeted bullying.

This is the fourth time I’ve had to engage lawyers for work-related matters. I’ve now re-engaged Hall Payne Lawyers, expecting further costs of at least $7,000. My family and I would deeply appreciate any financial support to ease the burden of mounting legal and medical expenses.

This case is not just about money—it’s about being strong and standing up to misuse of power.