A REDLAND councillor has been reprimanded as the state government announces it will seek powers to suspend or dismiss mayors and councillors who face serious integrity charges.
Local Government Stirling Hinchliffe said the government also would seek powers to suspend or dismiss a council, mayor or councillor when it was in the public interest.
“The reputation of local government has taken a hit in Queensland, with current and former mayors and councillors in some of our biggest councils facing dozens of criminal charges,” he said.
“Suspicion and distrust have impacted the entire sector, leading to a loss of public confidence – and therefore trust – in local government.”
Queensland councils, councillors and mayors will face sacking or dismissal by the local government minister under laws that will be put to a vote in Parliament next week.
Mr Hinchliffe announced the move at a Local Government Association Queensland conference on the Gold Coast.
It comes as Redland mayor Karen Williams reprimands Cr Paul Gleeson for inappropriate conduct regarding social media comments, for failing to comply with council procedures and behaing in an offensive and disorderly manner.
A complaint made by former Alexandra Hills resident Dan Ling in August last year was referred to the state government’s Regional Conduct Review Panel for further investigation.
Mr Hinchliffe said Cr Gleeson was counselled about his conduct and he expected council to keep him up to date on how the matter progressed.
“Let me make it clear that I expect all mayors and councillors to abide by the highest standards in public office, including in Redlands,” he said.
“As part of our rolling local government reform agenda, the government … will make mayors and councillors more accountable to the communities they represent.”
It is understood another complaint has since been lodged by Mr Ling about Cr Gleeson.
Cr Gleeson said Mr Ling had made multiple complaints about him in an effort to have matters referred to Mr Hinchliffe.
He declined to answer questions about Mr Ling’s latest allegations. “I’ll be happy to see the back of him and his frivolous complaints,” he said.
Council’s website lists four complaints against Cr Gleeson which have been substantiated or partly substantiated.
The strengthening of laws regarding councils follows a string of problems, ranging from the Gold to the Fraser Coast, Logan and Ipswich, with the latter having 13 staff and councillors facing charges.
The opposition tried to turn the issue back on to the government, with local government spokeswoman Ann Leahy saying that although she supported a crackdown, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had to clean up her party first.
“When will Annastacia Palaszczuk explain why she did nothing about alleged corruption at Ipswich despite knowing about the issue for more than a year?” Ms Leahy said.
“...Annastacia Palaszczuk reduced the budget for the CCC this year, despite the independent corruption watchdog asking for more resources.”
