Cook Shire slams Pyne allegations

COOK Shire Council has rejected allegations made under parliamentary privilege by Cairns MP Rob Pyne that a sacked employee was cleared of corruption claims and the matter was therefore not passed on to police.

The papers, under the title “Call for Cook Shire to be placed into administration: Part 3”, stated the council had developed procedures to “bully, harass and intimidate” workers.

They stated a staff member had been sacked after “asking challenging questions” and that allegations the council made to the Crime and Corruption Commission had been deemed unfounded.

“The (Queensland Police Service) has advised the matter was not referred to them,” Mr Pyne’s document said.

Cook Shire Council chief executive Tim Cronin said the claim was wrong.

“Council has not made any public statements in respect of this matter to date, having regard for the sensitive nature and due process of the CCC and Queensland Police,” he said in a statement.

“However, in view of (last week’s) documents tabled under parliamentary privilege by Mr Pyne, I would like to clarify the facts.”

Mr Cronin quoted a response from the CCC stating it considered the allegations, if proven, would amount to corrupt conduct.

“After considering the principles which apply under the Act, and noting (the employee) is no longer an employee of council, we have decided to refer these matters to the Queensland Police Service for their investigation,” the response said. The council said it would not make any further comment on the matter.

THE (QUEENSLAND POLICE SERVICE) HAS ADVISED THE MATTER WAS NOT REFERRED TO THEM