Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood, the second largest city in Tasmania, has been criticized by community members for posting a photo on social media with an American musician who has repeatedly broken the law.
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03-20, 2025Mayor Garwood announced on Facebook on Sunday that he had met with Ronnie Radke. Radke is the lead singer of the metal band Falling in Reverse and was previously a member of the band Escape the Fate. Radke has served time in prison in the United States and has faced numerous charges, including assault, aggravated assault, domestic violence, and battery.
Mayor Garwood posted a photo of himself with Radke, who recently toured Australia with the band Falling in Reverse. Garwood wrote on Facebook: "Perhaps one of the most controversial figures in hard rock music of my generation. From Escape the Fate to now Falling in Reverse - Ronnie Radke!" He also said: "Great to spend some time with him, talking all things Tassie, and personal growth and learning." Garwood added: "It always raises an eyebrow when I play the 'Mayor card'."
Mayor Garwood's Facebook page states that it is a personal page and that the views expressed are his own, although he has 20,000 followers and often uses it to comment on Launceston City Council affairs. Many community members expressed concern about Mayor Garwood's post in the comments section. Some comments included: "Publicly associating with convicted criminals and abusers is quite a refreshing change for politicians. Usually they try to hide it.", "So embarrassing, the last person on earth I'd want to associate with.", "I can't believe an elected council representative, the Mayor no less, would be so controversial or stupid, what am I missing?", "Imagine taking a photo with someone so abhorrent, then when people raise concerns with you so publicly praising such a character you just label them as 'haters' without addressing any of their concerns. What a disappointing post and response from a leader in our community."
In response to a commenter who said the post was "not a good look," Mayor Garwood replied, "Why? Can't people make mistakes and learn from them and then use their massive platform to express how things can positively change?" Other commenters defended the mayor, saying he could spend his time as he pleased and that he might disagree with Radke's past actions. Councillor Andrea Dawkins said she had received messages from Launceston women expressing concern about the mayor's Facebook post. She said: "They are understandably confused as to why our Mayor would stand alongside someone convicted of parole violations related to violence." Dawkins added: "The social media post associated with this issue feels like a provocation, and I don't know how this behavior serves the people of Launceston." Dawkins said she had raised the matter with the City Council's Chief Executive Officer. Councillor Lindy McMahon also criticized the mayor's post. She said: "I stand in solidarity with all women who have experienced violence, whose voices are constantly suppressed, while men like Ronnie Radke are given hero status." McMahon added: "I believe the women of Launceston who attended the launch of the 16 Days of Action against Gender-Based Violence would question the sincerity of what our Mayor said on that day." Councillor Tim Walker said, "All councillors must strive not to bring shame on the City Council, and therefore on our city of Launceston." Walker said: "I don't know much about Ronnie Radke, but he is clearly a controversial figure. Therefore, the Mayor's public association with him on social media is also controversial. I understand why this makes people uncomfortable." Councillor Jo Pentridge said, "We are being a bit too sensitive." Pentridge said: "Matthew is a popular mayor, and you can't please everyone. I support Matthew because he was elected by the people."
The Falling in Reverse band's tour website states that its December UK tour was postponed due to Radke's visa application being denied. UK regulations state that applicants who have served more than 12 months in prison may be denied entry. In 2008, Radke was jailed after an altercation in Las Vegas that resulted in one death. Media reports and Radke himself have said that Radke and an accomplice went to a brawl, and the accomplice shot and killed the person. Radke explained in a video: "My friend was acting in self-defense. I was the only one who was charged months later with carrying brass knuckles. I pled down from two felonies to one felony, two felonies being possession of a dangerous weapon/concealing a dangerous weapon, to one felony - battery, which never happened. I never hit anyone - I just pled to a felony. Yeah, maybe I shouldn't have gone to a brawl with brass knuckles, but I didn't murder anyone." In the video, he also slammed the outrage over an incident at a New Jersey music festival where he threw a microphone stand into the crowd, injuring people. Media reports said he injured two people and was charged with assault and aggravated assault. He said: "I threw some microphone stands into the crowd. Okay, I hurt someone - stupid, right? She got hurt, got a few stitches. She wasn't mad - she got $800,000 for it." Radke has also faced domestic violence charges. A Los Angeles court document showed that domestic violence and false imprisonment charges were dismissed due to a plea bargain. Radke served 24 months probation for the remaining disturbing the peace charge.
In response to questions from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Mayor Garwood said in a statement that he attended the Falling in Reverse concert in Adelaide on a personal trip and did not use City Council funds. He said: "I attended the concert in my personal capacity as a music enthusiast, not as an official representative of the City of Launceston." He acknowledged that some community members had expressed concern about the allegations against Radke. He said: "I am aware of some of the allegations, but as with everyone I meet, I am not aware of the historical details of everyone." He added: "My attendance at the concert was purely as a music enthusiast, and my interaction with Radke was brief and focused on music and performance. I understand that people may have different views on this, and I respect those views. My intention was never to cause concern or distress to community members. As Mayor, I am aware that I do things differently, and I remain committed to representing all residents of Launceston with integrity and openness."
