Toland bail change

Perjury case mention set for today

FORMER Gold Coast mayoral candidate Penny Toland had her bail conditions altered when she faced court yesterday on perjury charges brought by the Crime and Corruption Commission.

Ms Toland was arrested last month after it was alleged she gave false testimony to the CCC’s Operation Belcarra inquiry into the 2016 Gold Coast election and other local government elections in southeast Queensland.

Ms Toland is alleged to have failed to disclose donations given to her by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union.

Yesterday Ms Toland appeared for a mention in Southport Magistrates Court where she appealed her bail conditions.

Ms Toland lodged an appeal against the condition which meant she was not allowed to make contact with a number of people involved in her 2016 mayoral campaign, including two of her former campaign directors, who are witnesses in CCC investigations.

The court heard she worked with one campaign director for four to six weeks and another for about 10 days in the lead-up to the election.

Ms Toland’s lawyer Chris Nyst said his client had been free to talk to anyone she wished for months after giving evidence at a June CCC hearing up until her arrest last month.

“There is no suggestion of bad behaviour on her part,” Mr Nyst said.

“The condition is a presumption that she is trying to obstruct the course of justice. She has been cooperating with the CCC since February 2017.”

Magistrate Mark Howden said there was nothing to suggest Ms Toland would interfere with the people involved in the inquiry and removed the condition.

Ms Toland’s case was adjourned until today for a call-over mention.