Police turn down council trio probe

TASMANIA Police has decided an Integrity Commission report into the Glenorchy City Council does not warrant a police investigation.

The damning report, tabled on Tuesday in State Parliament, made findings against two former senior Glenorchy City Council officers and a former mayor over attempts to improperly gain financial benefits of up to $1 million.

In a probe codenamed Pyramid, the Integrity Commission investigated the conduct of former Glenorchy general manager Peter Brooks, direc- tor of corporate governance and general counsel Seva Iskandarli, and former mayor and later alderman Stuart Slade. It made 56 findings.

A Tasmania Police spokeswoman confirmed the report had been referred to police by the Glenorchy City Council, and that it had been assessed.

“It was determined the matter did not warrant investigation by police,” she said.

Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston said there was community frustration that those who had been found to have done the wrong thing had yet to be held accountable.

“It is disappointing Tas- mania Police have declined to investigate the serious matters outlined in the Integrity Commission report which include findings of fact in relation to financial advantages and benefits obtained,” she said.

The Director of Local Government is reviewing the report to determine if it should be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

When asked if the RACT was reviewing Mr Slade’s position as director, chief executive Harvey Lennon said directors were elected by members and a strict code of conduct was in place.

“The RACT will not com- ment on directors’ activities outside of an RACT context,” Mr Lennon said.

“But, for the record, no director has contravened the code of conduct at any time during his or her tenure on the RACT board.”

Mr Slade previously served as president and chairman of the RACT board, and is a former Tasmania Police sergeant.

He has denied any conflicts of interest or wrongdoing in his former role as chairman of the Glenorchy Council’s General Manager’s Performance Review Committee, and said he had always acted diligently and professionally.