Petition is rejected
THE Deputy Premier has responded to a 772-signature petition calling for the state government to assign a financial controller to a Far Northern council.
Principal petitioner Frederick James, of Innisfail, posted the appeal in December, stating residents had “no confidence in the financial management, or governance from Cassowary Coast Regional Council”.
Mr James’s petition followed a correction statement made by Mayor Mark Nolan in relation to clarifying insurance coverage for legal costs in a defamation matter.
Mr Nolan had publicly stated all costs related to a defamation matter between former chief executive James Gott and a local couple were covered by the council’s insurer. In October, Mr Nolan clarified only a counterclaim to the initial defamation matter was covered by the insurer, but the counterclaim had been struck out by the courts in April 2018.
Mr James argued in his petition for a financial controller to be appointed that he believed it was “clear that council has been concealing the truth”.
In his response to the petition, Deputy Premier Steven Miles said while the option was a possibility under the Local Government Act 2009, the conditions to appoint a financial controller to CCRC had not been met.
“I acknowledge the petitioners’ concerns regarding the conduct of councillors in relation to the provision of information to the public,” Mr Miles said. “It is appropriate that concerns regarding the conduct of councillors are referred to the Office of the Independent Assessor for assessment.
“I would like to thank the petitioners for raising this matter with me and I trust this information is of assistance. I acknowledge the ongoing community concern about the matters canvassed by petitioners. Accordingly, I will ensure that the Director-General is aware of the petition.”
It wasn’t the first time the state had been asked to offer the council assistance, after Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto
in May last year called on Mr Miles to appoint an adviser after CCRC terminated its maintenance of the Port Hinchinbrook sewage treatment plant.