21 days to save their jobs Ipswich councillors asked to explain why they should not be sacked

IPSWICH City councillors have 21 days to argue why they should not be sacked as the Palaszczuk Government proceeds with plans to appoint administrators.

The move comes as Labor backbencher Jo-Ann Miller indicated she would consider a tilt at the Ipswich mayoralty should there be strong community support.

Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe yesterday revealed he would start the process of bringing in administrators after corruption charges were levelled at Ipswich Mayor Andrew Antoniolli.

That began with a show cause notice that was issued to acting mayor Wayne Wendt last night, with councillors given three weeks to argue their case as to why they should keep their jobs.

The Government will consider its response before deciding whether or not to dissolve the council.

Mr Hinchliffe will also move to change the Local Government Act to make it easier for him to act against councils in response to community concerns, with Cabinet to consider those changes on Tuesday.

That includes automatic “stand down” powers to ensure any mayor or councillor charged with a serious offence is stood aside until that offence is dealt with.

Is it understood changes could also made to potentially allow councillors and mayors to be sacked rather than an entire council.

“I have reached the conclusion that the Ipswich City Council can no longer function effectively,” Mr Hinchliffe told State Parliament.

“Twelve people, including two mayors and two CEOs, are facing a total of 66 charges.

“The current Ipswich mayor is facing seven charges of fraud as a result of CCC investigations.

“Frankly, the eyes of the Ipswich City Council have been off the ball.

“Based on urgent legal advice, the Government will now commence the process of appointing an administrator at the Ipswich City Council, as provided by the Local Government Act.”

He was backed by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

“There are too many charges levelled at too many officials for anyone to have confidence in the management of Ipswich City Council,” Ms Palaszczuk told Parliament.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington yesterday accused Ms Palaszczuk of turning a blind eye to “corruption in the Queensland Labor Party” in light of the charges levelled at those in the Ipswich City Council.

Ms Frecklington also used Labor backbencher Jo-Ann Miller’s confrontation with Mr Hinchliffe on Wednesday night where she alleged she had been ignored on the issue as evidence the Government was not listening to its members. “The Premier waited until the second Labor Mayor from Ipswich was in the watch house before she acted,” she said.

Mrs Miller yesterday said she would consider running for mayor of Ipswich should the council be dismissed but only if the people of Ipswich wanted her to run.

“It depends on the people. If the people ask me or would like me to run, that might be OK,” she said.

But the maverick MP insisted that at this stage she was committed to working in the state arena.