Australian mayor in hot water after posting photo with Falling In Reverse's Ronnie Radke

Australia's Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood is facing criticism after posting a photo with Falling in Reverse frontman Ronnie Radke, who has a history of legal issues including prison time and past charges of assault, domestic violence, and battery.

Garwood shared the photo on Facebook following Radke's recent Australian tour, prompting backlash from community members, including Councillors Andrea Dawkins and Lindi McMahon, with Dawkins noting she received concerns from local women.

Despite Mayor Matthew Garwood stating that his Facebook page is personal and that the "views expressed" are his own, critics argue that his 20,000 followers and frequent posts about Launceston City Council matters blur the line between personal and official capacity.

In the post in question he said:

Maybe one of the most controversial characters in my generation of the hard rock music scene. Through Escape the Fate and now Falling in Reverse — Ronnie Radke!" Cr Garwood wrote on Facebook.

Was awesome to spend some time together and talk all things Tassie and personal growth and learning.

Always a mic drop moment when I get to play the 'Mayor card'

Haters keep coming strong but strength is in believing in yourself, the support around you and the resilience to carry on.

However both Dawkins and McMahon would make statements of their own via social media.

Dawkins, who raised the issue up to the council chief executive stated:

They are understandably perplexed why our mayor would stand in solidarity with a person convicted of parole violations associated with violence.

The social media post relating to this issue felt like a provocation and I am left wondering how this action serves the people of Launceston.

While McMahon added:

I stand in solidarity of all the women who have suffered at the hands of violence whose voices are continually silenced while men like Ronnie Radke are given hero status.

I'm sure the women of Launceston who attended the launch of the 16 days of activism [against gendered violence] would be questioning the sincerity of the words spoken by our mayor on that day.

In response, Garwood clarified that his attendance at the Adelaide concert was a personal trip with no council funds involved and acknowledged the concerns raised about Radke's past. In a more recent statement he shared:

As a heavy metal music fan, I headed off to Falling in Reverse meet and greet and I'm really disheartened that my post has caused some offence and concern. Noting that I absolutely could have worded and responded to it way better.

I attended not as an official rep of the City and posted on this, my personal page but, as I continue to learn, it seems that it's difficult to differentiate or have a personal life in an elected role.
I saw this as simply an opportunity to meet a band that I went through high school listening to. Never to endorse any specific actions or personal positions of the band. I appreciate that people may have differing views on this, and I respect those perspectives. 

I made a comment about "playing the mayor card", which I said as a quip that my role as mayor is a pretty cool conversation starter - particularly visually in this situation with tattoos ect. 

I understand that some members of the community have raised questions about member, Ronnie Radke's past and my association with him. I was aware of some of the accusations but not every detail - it was about the music. 

Sorry, I never want to cause distress or upset members of the community. As Mayor, I know I do things a bit differently and I remain committed to representing all residents of Launceston with integrity and openness.

Garwood was also in attendance for a recent Underoath show in Australia following his appearance at the Falling In Reverse show.