A misconduct complaint against Barcaldine mayor Sean Dillon has been dismissed. 

Cr Dillon was investigated by the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA) over claims he made about the practicality of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in his community early.

Last year, he told a local government meeting he was “very worried” that health officials could not vaccinate enough people in the region within the allocated time frame.

At the time, the OIA warned that the remarks undermined public confidence in the health service and “did not demonstrate high-quality leadership”.

This week, the OIA wrapped up its investigation, saying it concluded there were no grounds for further action.

“The OIA did not investigate the mayor for voicing his opinion,” it said.

“The mayor's comments in a live-streamed council meeting were in reaction to incorrect information provided by a council officer about the proposed vaccine rollout.

“The incorrect information was that the HHS (Hospital and Health Service) was proposing to vaccinate whole towns in one day.

“There was also a miscommunication within council about the priority vaccination of the elderly.

“In deciding to dismiss the complaint, the Independent Assessor took into account that the mayor's statements were made in response to incorrect information.”

Mr Dillon says it was an attempt to silence local government members.

“I definitely think this was an attempt to make an example of a mayor and put us all in a box,” he said.

“This was an attempt … to trample over the rights of a duly elected local government official to speak up for their community.

“It's clearly been shown there was no substance to the case against me, and while I welcome the dismissal, I don't welcome the time it's taken them to arrive at a conclusion.”

Mr Dillon said the investigation took a toll on his personal life.

“When your integrity is called into question, as a husband, son and parent, it's massive,” he said.

“The persisted and dogged approach that the Independent Assessor took to dragging this out … it's affected our ability to lead and speak up on behalf of our residents.

“The OIA doesn't believe in freedom of political expression … and they're trying to wash their hands of this now.”

The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) welcomes the dismissal of the matter.

“The LGAQ maintains this complaint should never have progressed to an investigation that has taken almost 12 months to resolve,” LGAQ CEO Alison Smith said.

“Mayors and councillors should have the same implied right to freedom of political expression as their State and Federal colleagues.

“Any move to impinge on this right is overreach that undermines the role of an elected representative in Queensland.”