[2] In 2015, Johnston claimed that the city council had breached regulations by voting on making 16 employees redundant without her presence.
[3] Federal independent MP for the Division of Denison, Andrew Wilkie, who endorsed Johnston for mayor, criticised this as "puerile behaviour", saying that some aldermen were "sore losers" and trying to create an impression of chaos under Johnston's mayoralty.
[5][6] In a press release on 27 February 2021, Johnston announced she would run for the seat of Clark in the next Tasmanian state election.
[9] Johnston's win was the first time an independent candidate had won a seat in the House of Assembly since Bruce Goodluck in 1996.
[11] Johnston is currently providing the Rockliff Liberal Government with confidence and supply alongside all three members of the Jacqui Lambie Network and former-Labor leader and independent MP for Franklin, David O'Byrne.