CCC claims turn to track
MAYOR Tom Tate and Deputy Mayor Donna Gates have been accused of failing to declare ownership of race horses in a complaint to the Crime and Corruption Commission about Black Swan Lake and development matters.
The complaint was made 24 hours after a Bulletin report revealed the State watchdog had launched a full investigation into conduct at the council.
The complaint, which the CCC acknowledged on Sunday, alleges:
Cr Tate, on at least one occasion after revealing he had an interest in a horse and syndicate, voted on matters relating to the Gold Coast Turf Club and Black Swan Lake without declaring an interest.
The Mayor’s Register of Interests is deficient in three areas – specifically failure to declare a partnership or joint venture, an asset of more than $5000 and a “financial interest” which could potentially raise a conflict.
One of the horse syndicate co-owners is a board member of the Gold Coast Turf Club and others in the syndicate may have had development applications before council since the syndicate was established.
The horse was trained by a professional trainer who had opened facilities at the turf club.
Cr Gates “acquired” an interest in a racehorse in early 2017 and failed to declare it on her Register of Interests.
In the letter to the CCC, the complainant wrote: “I would like the following matters added to the investigation into conflicts and concerns raised by others about the council’s course of dealing with matters pertaining to the Gold Coast Turf Club and Equine Precinct and Black Swan Lake.
“Councillor Tate has since January 2017 had an interest in a racehorse and racing syndicate partnership. He holds interest in his personal name.”
Regarding Cr Gates, the complainant referred to a disclosure in the turf club’s annual report in September last year which said the Deputy Mayor had “recently acquired her first interest in a racehorse”.
Cr Gates had “not declared that interest or relationships surrounding it in her Register of Interests”, the complainant said.
The Deputy Mayor yesterday was extremely confident she had fulfilled all her obliga- tions under the law regarding her Register of Interests.
“In light of your query I have reviewed my Register of Interests and it is fully up to date to the best of my knowledge,” Cr Gates said.
In response to several questions from the Bulletin (see right), the Mayor said: “I respect the confidentiality of the CCC”.
The complaint noted that on July 25 last year Cr Tate voted on a motion relating to Black Swan Lake and the council’s decision to allow the turf club to fill it in under a licence agreement for a horse training area and overflow car park.
Cr Tate did declare a real or perceived conflict due to him being a member of the turf club, but stayed in the chamber for the debate and voted.
Cr Gates did not vote on the Black Swan Lake decision on
July 25, and left the room “due to her being an honorary member of the Gold Coast Turf Club and director of the
Gold Coast Turf Club”.
The Bulletin is aware of two separate complaints on Black Swan Lake.
The latest complaint told the CCC of concerns at council level of the need for open and transparent government.