Experts to help Palm as finance boss on fraud rap
THE State Government has appointed officials to steer the embattled Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council out of crisis after the council’s finance head was charged with alleged fraud.
Accountant Neil Michel and public servant Gary Kleidon will serve as financial controller and governance adviser, respectively, to assist the council for a period of three months starting on July 17.
John Mugambi Mwamba, 50, the deputy chief executive officer and financial services director for Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council, was charged with 24 counts of fraud after an extensive investigation by the Crime and Corruption Commission.
Both Mr Michel and Mr Kleidon have extensive experience working with indigenous communities.
Mr Michel previously served as the financial controller for Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council, on the Cape York Peninsula, in the 2017-18 financial year and was able to shift the council’s books to surplus.
Mr Kleidon, currently an acting director in the Department of Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs, served as chief executive of Aurukun Shire Council for 14 years until 2007.
In 2008, the residents of Aurukun launched a petition to sack their chief executive, with some asking for Mr Kleidon to return instead.
Townsville MP Scott Stewart said Mr Michel would be responsible for implementing financial controls, authorising all council expenditure and would have the power to veto expenditure of council funds.
“Mr Kleidon will work with councillors and council staff to improve governance, administration and communication,” Mr Stewart said.
“I understand Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council is supportive of these appointments and the wealth of experience they will bring to the Palm Island community.”
Mayor Alf Lacey and Deputy Mayor Roy Prior were both named in charges against Mwamba, who is accused of dishonestly applying a “banking credit” belonging to the council.
There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by either Cr Lacey or Cr Prior, neither of whom has been charged.
It is understood charges against Mwamba relate to improper use of council-issued credit cards and bank cards.
Mwamba will appear court on July 26. in