Conflicts set aside for poll
THE local government watchdog has put concerns about conflicts of interest on ice as Cairns Regional Council gears up for the March 28 election.
The Office of the independent Assessor (OIA) has received many complaints about the present standing committee structure giving a majority vote to conflicted Unity Team members.
“As a result of these complaints the OIA has had ongoing communications with Cairns Regional Council (CRC) and acknowledges that conflict of interest issues arising out of donations made to the Cairns Unity Team have been challenging for the CRC,” an OIA spokeswoman said.
“While the CRC standing committees comply with conflict of interest provisions in the Local Government Act, the OIA is in discussions with the CRC to ensure they also comply with the local government principles of ‘transparent and effective processes and decision-making in the public interest’.
“As CRC are in caretaker mode there is no decisionmaking occurring at present, and the outcome of the local government election and legislation – which is currently being considered by parliament – may assist to resolve this issue moving forward.”
Council CEO John Andrejic said he was aware of four complaints, each of which had been dismissed. He said the council first received word of the concerns on November 25.
“Draft legislation has been considered by the Economics and Governance Committee, which has recommended the legislation be passed,” he said.
“It is expected to be considered by parliament in the sitting commencing March 17, 2020. This legislation, when passed, will resolve all conflict of interest issues historically experienced by councillors.”
The council’s conduct register includes 23 official complaints – many made by councillors against each other – all dismissed or deemed not worthy of further action.
It also lists a reprimand and an order to leave a meeting for Division 5 Cr Richie Bates stemming from an argument about conflicts of interest on February 12.
Cassowary Coast Regional Council has also been a quarrelsome organisation with five of its 30 complaints requiring disciplinary action.
Cook Shire has no complaints listed, the Tablelands has recorded five, which were all dismissed, and Townsville had 10 – none of which warranted further action.
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