Former Cairns mayor Bob Manning cleared of misconduct allegations
The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal has cleared former Cairns mayor Bob Manning who faced 23 allegations of misconduct.
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Former mayor Bob Manning has expressed relief at the results of a lengthy misconduct investigation, saying his “reputation had been restored”.
The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal has cleared Mr Manning of 23 allegations of misconduct.
Cairns’ second longest serving mayor, who was elected to the top job in 2012, resigned in November 2023 citing medical reasons for standing down.
Mr Manning drew the attention of Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission in 2021 after he was given a personal $150,000 interest-free, payable on demand loan he received from prominent development lawyer Ranjit Singh.
Mr Manning was facing bankruptcy in 2015.
While there were no suggestions of wrongdoing by Mr Singh, the CCC’s investigation looked at the lawyer’s connection to developments, including Nova City, approved during Mr Manning’s tenure.
In January 2022, following a “gruelling” investigation including a raid at Mr Manning’s property, the CCC declared its investigation to be over with no charges laid.
The former mayor’s actions around alleged conflicts of interest then became the subject of an Office of the Independent Assessor investigation.
In March 2023, the Councillor Conduct Tribunal upheld 23 allegations of misconduct against Mr Manning.
But rather than make a public admission of misconduct within 60 days, Mr Manning in June 2023 opted for a full-merits review before the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Again in June 2023, it was revealed the OIA separately applied to open up an investigation into the $150,000 loan.
QCAT handed down its decision on February 14 this year, stating the CCT’s March 2023 findings of misconduct be “set aside”.
The OIA has since dropped its application to investigate the $150,000 loan to Mr Manning.
“On 17 November 2023, councillor Robert (Bob) Manning vacated his office as councillor and mayor,” independent assessor Bronwyn Blagoev said.
“Accordingly, the application is now withdrawn … because the office of the councillor is vacated before the Councillor Conduct Tribunal has decided the application.”
Mr Manning said he was relieved all findings against him had been set aside and his “reputation had been restored”.
“It has taken a long time but I feel that justice has prevailed,” he said.
“I always maintained that I had not broken the rules and I was confident that my review in QCAT would be upheld.
“I have been in public life for several decades and I am proud of the service I have given to the Cairns community.
“The recent decisions made by QCAT and the Independent Assessor will now allow me to get on with my life and enjoy retirement with my unblemished record remaining intact.
“I thank the Independent Assessor for her sensible approach to the allegations that were raised against me.”
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