Councillor hopping mad
Claims complaints process like a ‘kangaroo court’
PETER Young has branded the internal complaint process against Gold Coast City councillors a “kangaroo court” because investigations and penalties cannot be reviewed.
The hinterland-based councillor has also raised concerns that mayoral directives are being issued which he believes do not follow official council policy.
The complaints by the senior councillor, who is in a legal defamation dispute with Mayor Tom Tate, are detailed in a sub- mission to a state parliamentary committee considering council law reforms.
Cr Young’s concerns are backed by several community groups and residents in submissions to the Local Government (Councillor Complaints) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill, which will be dealt with by the new State Parliament.
In his submission to Parliament’s Legal Affairs and Community Safety committee, Cr Young wrote: “The current process for dealing with complaints against councillors very poor and invites abuse.
“At present if a complaint is lodged, depending on the circumstances, the CEO has the role of investigating and making a decision as to the guilt or innocence of the councillor.
“The Mayor then has the role to determine the penalty against the councillor.”
Cr Young argued the “current kangaroo court provisions” meant any decision by the CEO, the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor or committee is chair was not subject to an appeal.
“This means neither the assessment of the complaint against the council (by the CEO) nor the penalty determined (by the Mayor) is able to be reviewed. It is an archaic provision that denies natural justice and procedural fairness,” he wrote.
Cr Young supports the Government’s new reforms which include a uniform code of conduct for councillors.
Council CEO Dale Dickson confirmed the council would implement the State Government’s legislative changes once enacted.
“I don’t agree that the current process is discriminatory, nor that it invites harassment. It is also wrong to suggest that directives are not recorded,” he said.
Experienced architect and southern Coast community campaigner Philip Follent has made a similar complaint to that of Cr Young.
“The current process for dealing with complaints against councillors is inadequate, discriminatory and invites harassment, bullying and even abuse of power,” he wrote in his submission to the committee.
Gecko Environment Council in its submission noted “there remains a potential for bullying of councillors” as committee chairpersons seek to shut down independent voices on the council.
The Main Beach Association called for tougher laws to ensure councillors remove themselves from the chamber when voting on issues in which they have a conflict of interest.