Sarroff: Tate misled public Former councillor says Mayor backflipped on car park sale
leading business operators in the city’s heart.
A key allegation is the Mayor was “completely and irredeemably compromised” and failed to disclose a material personal interest involving his proposed Waterglow tower development on land at the Surfers Paradise Bowls Club opposite the car park.
Cr Tate has called the allegations “fanciful and fantasy” and used the argument that if a person had done everything right and wore a pristine shirt “you don’t pull out an iron and start ironing”.
“The Mayor was reminded of his promise in the lead up to the 2012 election that the asset will not be sold yet he remained in the council chamber and voted for the sale,” Mr Sarroff said. “And further, what is extraordinary is that he ignored the calls for him to distance himself – through media reports – from voting on this matter whilst a conflict of interest existed.
“I also question why the massive propaganda team in his office were not able to point out the significance of the conflict when you consider his pledge to retain the asset he now is anxious to sell.
“A guiding principle good politicians adopt when dealing with matters that potentially bring rise to a conflict is