Andrew Antoniolli

Councillor Andrew Antoniolli
Mayor of Ipswich
In office 28 August 2017 – 2 May 2018
Preceded by	Paul Pisasale
Succeeded by	Council dismissed
Councillor for Division 7, Ipswich City Council
In office 2000–2017
Preceded by	Gerard Pender
Succeeded by	David Martin
Councillor for Division 3, Ipswich City Council
Incumbent
Assumed office 11 April 2024
Preceded by	Andrew Fechner
Personal details
Born	(1971-01-13) January 13, 1971 Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
Political party	Independent (2018-present) Independent Labor (2000-2018)
Children	5
Profession	Police officer

Andrew Francis Antoniolli is an Australian local government politician from Ipswich, Queensland. A former Queensland Police officer, Antoniolli began his political career in 2000 when he was elected as the Division 7 councillor for Ipswich City Council, succeeding Gerard Pender. He held that position until 2017, when he was elected Mayor of Ipswich following the resignation of Paul Pisasale.

Antoniolli campaigned on a platform of "accountability and transparency", but his mayoral tenure was short-lived. In May 2018, he was charged with multiple counts of fraud by the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) over his use of council funds to purchase charity auction items. He was found guilty in 2019 and received a suspended jail sentence, but successfully appealed the conviction in 2020 and was acquitted.

Early life and police career

Antoniolli is a native of Ipswich, Queensland. He attended Ipswich North State School and Ipswich State High School, where he served as a school prefect in 1988.

Before entering politics, he served over a decade with the Queensland Police Service in the Ipswich district. His roles included crime prevention, community policing and intelligence work. He became Officer in Charge of the Redbank Police Beat. Antoniolli also organised community events, including eight years of the Ipswich Police Community Cup Touch Carnival, which raised funds for local charities.

Political Career Division 7 Councillor (2000–2017)

Andrew Antoniolli was first elected to Ipswich City Council in 2000, contesting the Division 7 seat vacated by then-councillor Gerard Pender, who had resigned to make an unsuccessful bid for the mayoralty. At the time, Antoniolli was the youngest councillor elected in over two decades, and among the youngest in the city's history.

He went on to serve the Division 7 community for 17 years, including a period as Deputy Mayor. During his time on council, Antoniolli was actively involved in community engagement, urban development planning, and policing initiatives, drawing on his prior experience as a Queensland Police officer.

In 2014, Antoniolli was appointed as a director of Ipswich City Properties Pty Ltd (ICP), a council-owned company responsible for overseeing major urban redevelopment, including the Ipswich City Square and broader CBD renewal projects. He joined a five-person board consisting of Mayor Paul Pisasale, Councillor Paul Tully, Council CEO Jim Lindsay, and Council Solicitor Daniel Best. Pisasale said, "Andrew is very well connected in the CBD. He has an office in the CBD and talks to the retailers in the CBD all the time … to have that experience and knowledge on Ipswich City Properties is invaluable."

Antoniolli stated he was "looking forward to helping steer the development of the city heart in the right direction" and advocated for a connected and well-planned mall precinct. "Ipswich City Properties set the direction of the CBD," he said, "and I believe that someone like me who is embedded in the CBD can get advice through to the board about what is needed." He strongly supported the 2007 masterplan that identified the redevelopment of the Ipswich Mall as a "catalyst project."}

ICP later faced public and media scrutiny regarding financial management and progress, with questions raised about governance and transparency A 2018 ABC investigation revealed ICP had made enormous losses ($78 million), delivering little progress despite over a decade of planning. Media coverage quoted critics who claimed ratepayers had been 'short-changed' due to perceived lack of oversight. Some commentators alleged that councillors, including Antoniolli, should have exercised stronger financial controls.

A Courier-Mail report in 2018 confirmed the project had stalled for years, despite previous council claims that progress was imminent. Although construction on Ipswich Central eventually resumed in mid-2018, some critics argued that ICP had not met its objectives and raised concerns about the use of public resources.

In August 2016, Antoniolli was involved in a widely publicised incident at Fire Station 101, Ipswich's council-run innovation hub. According to media reports, a verbal altercation with then-Mayor Paul Pisasale allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation. According to media reports at the time, some witnesses alleged that Antoniolli threw a punch. Antoniolli denied the allegation, describing it as a 'robust discussion' with no physical contact". No formal complaints or charges were made.

The following year, Antoniolli contested the 2017 mayoral by-election after Pisasale's resignation and was elected Mayor of Ipswich in August 2017. His Division 7 seat was later filled by David Martin, who won the ensuing by-election.

Ipswich City Mayor (2017–2018)

In June 2017, Ipswich's long-serving mayor Paul Pisasale resigned suddenly, citing ill health, shortly after the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission executed a search warrant on his office. The resignation triggered a mayoral by-election, held in August 2017. Antoniolli announced his candidacy shortly thereafter.

Antoniolli positioned himself as a reform candidate in the wake of growing scrutiny over council conduct, pledging to improve public trust and introduce reforms aimed at greater transparency. Antoniolli campaigned on a platform of open governance, promising to "lift the veil of secrecy," introduce a new councillor code of conduct, and make registers of interest public.

During the campaign, Antoniolli responded to speculation surrounding ongoing CCC investigations, stating publicly that he was not under investigation and had not been contacted by authorities. He reaffirmed his commitment to cooperating with any inquiries and maintaining transparency.

On 19 August 2017, Andrew Antoniolli was elected as the 50th Mayor of Ipswich, defeating acting mayor Paul Tully in the by-election. Antoniolli received 39,321 votes (54.44%) after preferences, while Tully secured 32,902 votes (45.56%).

During his 2017 mayoral campaign, Andrew Antoniolli received significant financial support from the waste management sector, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest given Ipswich's ongoing waste disposal issues. Notably, Plencove Pty Ltd, operated by Roy Wilson—who also runs the sister company NuGrow—donated $15,600 to Antoniolli's campaign. This contribution accounted for approximately one-third of the $43,000 in donations declared by Antoniolli at that time. Plencove operates a waste transfer station in Swanbank, an area central to debates over interstate waste dumping in Ipswich.

The sizable donation prompted scrutiny from local community groups. Jim Dodrill, president of the Ipswich Ratepayers Association, said in a media interview, "There is that potential conflict...", referring to the campaign donations declared by Antoniolli.

In a 2024 council committee meeting, Antoniolli faced criticism for initially hesitating to disclose the exact amount received from NuGrow. After repeated questioning, he admitted to the $15,000 donation, later reflecting, "I should've just said 15 grand to begin with."

Resignation and Fraud Charges (2018 - 2020)

On 2 May 2018, Andrew Antoniolli was charged with seven counts of fraud by the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC). The charges alleged that between 2011 and 2017, he used council funds to purchase items at charity auctions for personal use, with values ranging from $100 to over $2,000. In response, Antoniolli stood down as mayor but maintained his innocence, stating, "Let me be clear — I have never been involved in corrupt or criminal activity and I intend to fight these charges." The Queensland Government subsequently announced plans to dismiss the Ipswich City Council, citing concerns about overall governance and public confidence.

On 30 May 2018, Antoniolli was arrested for allegedly breaching his bail conditions by communicating with council employees. His lawyer argued that the contact occurred while returning council property and did not involve witnesses in the prosecution. The court granted bail with additional conditions, including non-contact orders and restrictions on entering council premises. Concerns were also raised about Antoniolli's mental health, with his lawyer noting that he had engaged with health professionals and was supported by his family.

In September 2018, prosecutors dropped the original seven charges and filed 14 new charges related to similar conduct, leading to delays in the trial.

Antoniolli's trial commenced in May 2019. He pleaded not guilty to 13 fraud-related charges, asserting that the purchases were made in good faith and under the advice of council executives. During the trial, he testified that former mayor Paul Pisasale and two former CEOs had informed him that such purchases were permissible.

On 5 June 2019, Antoniolli was found guilty on all counts. Magistrate Anthony Gett described his testimony as "largely self-serving and significantly contrived," adding that his conduct and demeanor in court "gave the impression his evidence appeared to be rehearsed and lacked a ring of truth." The magistrate concluded that Antoniolli acted dishonestly and misappropriated council money.

On 8 August 2019, he was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, wholly suspended, and a conviction was recorded. His defense barrister stated that Antoniolli had "paid and will continue to pay for this offending for the rest of his life." Antoniolli immediately filed an appeal against the convictions.

On 11 December 2020, the District Court quashed all of Antoniolli's convictions. Judge Dennis Lynch QC found that the magistrate erred by not considering that Antoniolli acted under the guidance of council CEOs and did not intend to act dishonestly. The judge noted, "At no time did [Mr Antoniolli] acknowledge that at the time he bid at charity auctions or supported payments from the [Community Donation Fund] he believed he was doing anything wrong."

In November 2021, the Queensland Court of Appeal refused the Police Commissioner's application for leave to appeal the District Court's decision. The court, comprising Chief Justice Catherine Holmes and Justices John Bond and Peter Flanagan, in a majority decision, found that the Commissioner failed to establish a reasonable argument that the District Court judge's findings should be overturned. Justice Bond stated, "Unless the [Police Commissioner] could overturn that finding, dishonesty could never be established, and any appeal was bound to fail." Chief Justice Holmes dissented, indicating she would have granted leave to appeal but ultimately would have dismissed the appeal.

In February 2022, the Court of Appeal ordered the Police Commissioner to pay Antoniolli's legal costs on a standard basis, rejecting his application for indemnity costs. Chief Justice Holmes noted that while the administration of justice in cases involving alleged misappropriation of public funds is of public importance, there was no material submitted to warrant an indemnity costs order. As a result, Antoniolli was entitled to recover approximately 60-75% of his legal expenses.

Return to Office (2024 - Present)

After several years away from politics, Antoniolli returned to public life and ran for Division 3 in the 2024 Ipswich City Council elections. He was elected on 16 March 2024.

Return to Council and Disaster Management Role

Antoniolli was controversially appointed Chairperson of the Ipswich Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) at the new council's post-election meeting. This role – which oversees local emergency coordination – is traditionally held by the sitting mayor in Queensland councils. Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding was removed as LDMG chair and replaced by Councillor Antoniolli, a departure from usual practice.

The decision drew criticism from Mayor Harding and some residents, who viewed it as undermining the mayor's authority. Harding later noted the move "deviates from the historical norm" and voiced concern that it was done without clear justification. Antoniolli defended his appointment, arguing that his experience and the council's vote legitimized the outcome.

In March 2025, Mayor Harding complained she had been left "unaware" of a key emergency briefing in regards to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and raised concerns with state authorities about the LDMG's information-sharing under Antoniolli's leadership Antoniolli, as LDMG chair, denied any mishandling and defended his actions, stating that the mayor had an open invitation to LDMG meetings and that he had not intended to exclude her. Local media described the episode as a "bicker" between the mayor and the disaster group chair over communication during the cyclone response Antoniolli maintained that he kept the public and officials adequately informed, while Harding argued the situation exemplified the problems with removing the mayor from the disaster management helm

Optional By-election Debate

In August 2024, Division 4 Councillor David Cullen resigned five months into the role. While his departure was initially attributed to ill health, Cullen later revealed he stepped down due to systemic dysfunction, financial mismanagement, and internal power struggles within Ipswich City Council. He described a toxic culture where “egos, not evidence” guided decisions and concerns about missing funds and failed projects were ignored.

Under Queensland law, because the resignation occurred within 12 months of the general election, the council had the option to avoid a costly by-election by simply appointing the runner-up from the 2024 local election to the vacancy. The runner-up for Division 4 was independent candidate Russell Milligan. However, at a meeting on 5 September 2024, a majority of councillors (including Antoniolli) voted 5–3 to reject the appointment and instead hold a by-election to let voters choose a new councillor.

Mayor Teresa Harding strongly opposed this move, calling an unnecessary by-election (estimated to cost between $320,000 and $550,000) an "irresponsible waste of ratepayer money" during a budget-sensitive time. "I'm not sure how any of us can justify this unnecessary expense...particularly during a cost of living crisis," Harding told the council. Antoniolli and supporters countered that democracy was paramount. He argued that Ipswich residents "deserved to have a vote" on their new representative rather than an appointment, saying "the public has the right to choose — that of course is the very point of democracy". Antoniolli noted the "irony of [the council] voting on whether the public gets a vote" and maintained that a by-election was the fairest outcome. The vote triggered debate in local media about balancing democratic principles against fiscal responsibility. In the end, the council's majority decision stood, and preparations for a by-election went ahead.

Media Policy "Gag" Dispute

In January 2025, fellow Councillor Paul Tully introduced a surprise motion seeking to amend Ipswich City Council's media policy in a way that would elevate committee chairpersons (i.e. councillors in charge of specific portfolios) as the primary spokespeople on matters within their portfolios Under the existing arrangements, the Mayor traditionally serves as the default spokesperson for major council issues – a common practice across Queensland councils. Tully's proposed change, however, would formalize that portfolio chairs speak for the council on relevant issues, thereby limiting the Mayor's public comment role on those topics.

Antoniolli expressed support for the proposal, arguing that the current media policy was "unfair" to the councillors who serve as committee chairs and do the groundwork on issues. He suggested that allowing those councillors to speak would better inform the public about specific initiatives, rather than all messages coming through the Mayor's office. This stance aligned with the rationale Tully gave: he described his motion as a minor policy fix to properly recognize portfolio spokespeople, denying it was intended to muzzle the Mayor.

The issue came to a head at a council meeting on 30 January 2025. Amid significant media attention – with some outlets calling the plan an unprecedented "media gag" attempt, the council deliberated on the motion. In a dramatic turn, Cr Tully opted at the last minute to "park" (defer) the motion, citing that "some councillors" wanted more time to consider the implications. Antoniolli, Tully, and their colleagues voted to postpone the debate indefinitely.

Nicholas Street Precinct "Food Trucks" Controversy and Conduct Investigation

In late 2024, Ipswich Councillor Andrew Antoniolli publicly criticised the council's decision to allow food trucks to operate during a school holiday event in the Nicholas Street Precinct, arguing it undermined local restaurants. In comments published in the Ipswich Tribune, Antoniolli described the decision as "a slap in the face" to traders and accused council of "overpromising and under-delivering" in the CBD. His remarks triggered internal backlash, with CEO Sonia Cooper stating that multiple council officers felt "gutted and devastated" by what they perceived as derogatory attacks on their integrity. The matter was referred to the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA) for formal investigation, with a second allegation added after Antoniolli replied to the CEO's concerns by saying: "If only your concerns were for the mum and dad businesses that are suffering".

In March 2025, the Independent Assessor's report substantiated both allegations against Antoniolli, finding that his media comments had "diminished the council's standing" and that his email to the CEO was disrespectful. The investigator recommended formal findings of inappropriate conduct and potential disciplinary measures. However, when the matter was brought before Ipswich City Council for a vote on 30 April 2025, the majority of councillors voted against upholding the findings, effectively clearing Antoniolli of any sanction. Mayor Teresa Harding expressed disappointment, calling the decision "embarrassing" and criticising the waste of $18,000 in ratepayer funds spent on the investigation

Personal life

Antoniolli has maintained a local Ipswich profile outside politics. According to official sources, he has five daughters and at least one grandchild. He worked for a time as a real-estate salesperson in Ipswich. Antoniolli was previously married; public records indicate his marriage ended in separation during his court battles. Currently, with Tania Alves and her two children, Sienna and Ryder Alves.