ASIC records show former Dempsey adviser as Bundaberg Now primary contact

Incumbent Mayor Jack Dempsey has had a taste of his own medicine as a ratepayers’ association calls on him to explain why his largest campaign donor is listed as representative for council’s ratepayer-funded news website.

The Bundaberg ratepayers association has issued a "please explain" to incumbent mayor Jack Dempsey over a campaign donor's registration as official contact for the council news website Bundaberg Now.

A furore has developed over Jack Dempsey’s largest campaign donor being registered as the official contact for council “good news” website Bundaberg Now.

Australian Securities and Investments Commission records show Michael Gorey, the former ratepayer-funded adviser to Mr Dempsey, has been registered as the organisational representative for Bundaberg Now since April 24, 2019.

According to the ASIC website an organisational representative is the primary contact for a business entity, and must be a member of the governing body of the organisation.

Before being promoted to Mr Dempsey’s chief of staff in February 2021, Mr Gorey was council’s executive officer of communications, during which time he created and managed Bundaberg Now.

Mr Gorey announced his resignation from council in August 2022, but according to ASIC records he remains the primary contact for Bundaberg Now.

Mr Gorey did not respond to text messages seeking clarification for his role with Bundaberg Now and Bundaberg council, but council said the ASIC records had not been updated through an administrative oversight.

Michael Gorey created Bundaberg Now when he was council’s executive officer of communications in 2019.

Mr Gorey’s company, Gorey Media, created Mr Dempsey’s campaign website which was donated as an in-kind gift for “website development” valued at $500.

The Local Government Act prohibits the use of ratepayer-funded resources (including staff) for any activity relating to a councillor’s campaign for re-election. But there is no suggestion that Mr Gorey remains employed by council.

Queensland electoral commission records show Michael Gorey made a $500 donation for "website development" towards Mr Dempsey's campaign.

A Bundaberg council spokesperson downplayed the significance of Mr Gorey still appearing in the ASIC records, implying the record had not been updated through administrative oversight, which council would seek to rectify.

“The organisation representative is simply a contact name,” the spokesperson said.

“Bundaberg Regional Council is the holder of the registered business name Bundaberg Now.

“The former executive officer communications was the organisational representative at the time it was registered.

“Council will take steps to update the representative details.”

The confusion over Mr Gorey’s status with the council follows Mr Dempsey’s attack on his opponent Helen Blackburn earlier in the campaign for being registered with the Office of Fair Trading as president of the Bundaberg Regional Ratepayers Association.

At the time, Ms Blackburn said she had resigned from the BRRA in late 2023, before nominating as mayoral candidate, and the BRRA said it had not updated their records with the OFT due to an “omission” with a number of volunteer members being absent over the Christmas break.

Mr Dempsey's opponent Helen Blackburn said "ratepayers have a right to be concerned" about the ASIC documents listing Mr Gorey as the Bundaberg Now organisational representative.

Under the Associations Incorporation Act, associations are required to inform the Office of Fair Trading within one month of a new president being elected.

In separate statements issued on Monday, the BRRA called on Mr Dempsey to explain why Mr Gorey is listed with ASIC as Bundaberg Now’s organisational representative, and Ms Blackburn said “ratepayers have a right to be concerned that Mr Dempsey’s largest campaign donor is listed as the legal representative for the council-owned Bundaberg Now website”.

In response, Mr Dempsey doubled down on his allegations that the BRRA is “a front” for Ms Blackburn, pointing out that BRRA secretary Marc Hummer is listed on her candidate nomination form and the Bundaberg Ag-Food and Fibre Alliance, who donated $2000 to Ms Blackburn’s campaign, shares an address with the BRRA.

“This petty claim based on an administrative oversight is a media stunt and I hope the media who think this is newsworthy also report Ms Blackburn’s leadership of BRRA and her connection to Mr Hummer,” Mr Dempsey said.

“It’s a penalty offence under the legislation for BRRA to not update their officer details within one month.

“Questions about the council’s administrative oversight (which is not a penalty offence) should be directed to the CEO.”