Cairns mayor shuts down press conference after facing Crime and Corruption Commission questions

Cairns’ mayor has sensationally walked out on a press conference after refusing to answer questions regarding ongoing conflict of interest concerns related to the appointment of the council’s interim CEO. Watch the video.

Cairns’ mayor has sensationally walked out on a press conference after refusing to answer questions regarding ongoing conflict of interest concerns related to the appointment of the council’s interim CEO.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Cairns Regional Council Mayor Amy Eden refused to answer whether she had been contacted by the Crime and Corruption Commission after her former campaign advisor, John Andrejic, was given the top executive role last month.

It’s understood information related to the recruitment process has been passed onto the Office of the Independent Assessor recently, with the CCC also now aware of the matter.

The CCC has declined to comment.

Cairns Regional Council Mayor Amy Eden and CEO John Andrejic during the ordinary Council meeting on June 5th.

When Ms Eden was asked whether she had been contacted by the CCC, the Mayor deflected the question.

“Budget related questions today, thank you,” she said.

After being asked if she was under investigation by the CCC, a media advisor intervened and Ms Eden stepped away from the microphone.

Mr Andrejic and council’s chief financial officer were on hand to help the mayor answer questions regarding the council’s new budget, interjecting on multiple occasions to provide responses to journalists’ questions.

Cairns Regional Council CEO John Andrejic during his first ordinary Council meeting earlier this month. Picture Emily Barker.

When the press conference turned to a potential investigation, the new chief executive batted away the queries.

“Send an email through and we will give you an answer,” he said.

Mr Andrejic didn’t offer a reason as to why he couldn’t answer the questions at the media event before departing.

The Cairns Post sent questions to the council seeking further information regarding the potential implications an investigation might have on its capacity to operate.

In a statement, Ms Eden said she had not been contacted by the CCC and was not “aware” of any investigation.

Last month, a majority of councillors voted that Ms Eden had a conflict of interest in relation to the appointment of its interim CEO with Mr Andrejic one of the top candidates recommended by the recruitment panel.

But councillors then voted on whether the conflict of interest should prevent Ms Eden from having input on the CEO appointment.

Cairns Regional Council division 7 Councillor Anna Middleton speaks during the ordinary Council meeting on June 5th. Picture Emily Barker.

Division Seven councillor Anna Middleton sided with Ms Eden, tipping the majority in the mayor’s favour.

Council then entered a closed session with Mr Andrejic emerging as the city’s new chief executive.

It’s far from the first time a local government leader has faced such scrutiny in Cairns.

Former Cairns Mayor Bob Manning endured a year-long CCC investigation into his relationship with Cairns property lawyer Ranjit Singh.

Mr Manning received a $150,000 loan from Mr Singh in 2015 but Investigation Barrel concluded in 2022 without any charges being laid.

EDEN SHUTS DOWN PRESS CONFERENCE

Reporter: Have you been contacted by the CCC since you became mayor?

Media Advisor: No.

Mayor Amy Eden: Budget related questions today, thank you.

Reporter: So you can’t comment on whether you’ve been contacted? Are you currently under investigation by the CCC?

Media Advisor: Okay guys. Are there any more questions about the budget here guys?

Reporter: Have you been interviewed by the CCC?

Media Advisor: Hey, hey, hey. Budget related questions here.

Reporter: Hang on, these are public interest questions…

Media Advisor: No.

Reporter: …and I think they’re fair and reasonable.

Media Advisor: If you’d like to send us any questions through to us we’re happy to answer those questions, however, this here in respect to everyone that’s here, we’re talking about the budget. Can we just stay on topic. Are there any other budget questions?

(Off camera) John Andrejic: Shoot an email through this afternoon and we’ll get some answers through to you, please.

Reporter: Have you been contacted by the CCC, John?

John Andrejic: Send an email through and we will give you an answer.

Reporter: Are you under investigation by the CCC?

John Andrejic: Send an email through and we’ll get you an answer.

EXCERPT FROM INTERVIEW WITH DIVISION ONE COUNCILLOR BRETT MOLLER

Reporter: Did a councillor contact the mayor prior to John Andrejic’s appointment as interim CEO …

Media advisor: Okay

Reporter: … and ask her to reconsider the composition of the recruitment panel for the chief executive role?

Media Advisor: We’re here to answer budget questions mate. As we said…

Reporter: Well this is a council employee. The top executive employee (we’re talking about) ...

Media Advisor: If you’d like – any questions you’d like to have answered, please send us an email.

Reporter: Well I’m standing here right now so that I can have the questions answered.

Reporter 2: Is there any reason you can’t have that question answered today?

Brett Moller: I’m here focused on the budget and the budget outcomes.

Originally published as Cairns mayor shuts down press conference after facing Crime and Corruption Commission questions