Councillors watched by $14m body
THE State Government has armed a new independent body with a multi-million-dollar war chest to handle Queensland’s local government crisis.
Tuesday’s budget allocated $14.1 million to be spent over four years to establish an independent assessor to consider councillor conduct complaints and improve local governance.
It comes as several high-profile councillors, including two former Ipswich mayors, face criminal charges and a Fraser Coast mayor was sacked.
The independent assessor would work alongside the CCC with a specific focus on official misconduct.
The assessor would have the power to seize documents and compel people to attend interviews. If complaints are not genuine the assessor will also have the power to dismiss them and impose a hefty penalty.
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the new system was designed to put the “brakes on bad behaviour long before councillors reach the watch house door”.
“What we have now is not up to the job. It is convoluted, lacks teeth, and – given recent events – clearly fails to act as a sufficient deterrent for some councillors,” he said.
Mr Hinchliffe said the government’s reform agenda was about ensuring local government systems in Queensland are robust, accountable and transparent, with “very clear rules”.
“Overwhelmingly, councillors are honest and beyond reproach. It is just a shame their reputations are being tarnished by the alleged actions of a tiny minority.”
CLARE ARMSTRONG