The mayor of a south-east Queensland council affected by bitter political infighting is set to take six weeks’ leave from council duties, according to multiple reports. The articles say the decision comes after the mayor was hospitalised earlier this year following a collapse at work, which prompted attention on the strain surrounding the council’s internal divisions. The council has been described as plagued by ongoing political conflict, with competing factions and disputes that have affected day-to-day operations and public decision-making. While the reports focus on the mayor’s period of leave, they do not indicate a specific timeline for decisions during the absence or who will act in the mayoral role. The move is presented as a temporary measure, allowing time away from official responsibilities following the health incident. Across the outlets, the central points are consistent: the mayor faces a six-week break from council work and the council continues to experience significant political friction.