Former Fraser Coast mayor Chris Loft responds to Fitzgerald-led CCC inquiry

The first Queensland mayor sacked by the State Government amid a CCC investigation says he believes a Fitzgerald-led inquiry into the corruption watchdog will expose the “truth” about alleged Labor influence on cases like his.

Chris Loft wants his chance to speak to the new CCC probe.

Former Fraser Coast Mayor Chris Loft believes the fresh microscope being applied to the State’s corruption watchdog will expose the “truth” about alleged Labor influence on the investigation which led to criminal charges and ultimately, his jailing.

It comes after Queensland’s notorious corruption exposing former judge Tony Fitzgerald was appointed to lead a new probe into the embattled Crime and Corruption Commission.

In a statement to the Fraser Coast Chronicle, Mr Loft said “I am very much looking forward to sharing my full story to the Fitzgerald inquiry and having the truth finally revealed”.

Former mayor Chris Loft speaking to the council from the public gallery following his controversial departure.

He said a “proper submission will be written as soon as the terms of reference are clarified … I do expect that my submission will be included”.

Mr Loft also claimed “local ALP state members Bruce Saunders and Adrian Tantari and their political interference will be highlighted”.

The Chronicle understands Mr Saunders’ decision to go to then Deputy Premier Jackie Trad for the green light to appoint an adviser to the Fraser Coast Council during Mr Loft’s time as mayor will be among the issues raised in the submission.

Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders. Picture Lachie Millard

It’s also understood Mr Loft will claim a conflict of interest existed for Mr Tantari who at the time was not yet an MP but the candidate for Hervey Bay in the lead up to a previous State Election.

Former Hervey Bay MP Ted Sorensen said on September 17, 2017 that a “clear and definite conflict” existed, claiming Mr Tantari had taken complaints against Mr Loft in his role as Regional Manager with the Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning.

Mr Tantari responded that same day, describing the claims as ‘misinformed’ and said when he had accepted Labor’s nomination five months prior he had relinquished any involvement in overseeing the Fraser Coast council.

Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari MP. (Image/Josh Woning)

He said that decision was made specifically to distance himself from any perceived conflict of interest and that staff in regional areas were not involved in handling complaints which were directed to the department in Brisbane.

Shadow Minister for Local Government Ann Leahy maintained on Wednesday “any (CCC) review needs to include wider integrity issues surrounding the State Government, including the alleged involvement of people like Labor’s Bruce Saunders and Adrian Tantari in this matter”.

The Chronicle has contacted both Mr Saunders and Mr Tantari for right of reply but has not received a response.

Mr Tantari was also asked about his departure last year from the Queensland Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee which took place before the same committee released a scathing report about the watchdog in December.

The new inquiry will largely focus on the CCC’s investigation into Logan councillors, the “extraordinary nature” of the CCC’s powers and functions and differences from police powers in the investigation, charging and prosecution of criminal offences and the “consequences arising from the laying of criminal charges as a result of a CCC investigation”.

Chris Loft arriving with his lawyer Angelo Venardos at day three of the ex-mayor’s trial at Hervey Bay District Court.

In 2018, Mr Loft became the first councillor in Queensland to be sensationally sacked by the State Government amid what it said were “serial” and “flagrant” breaches of local government principles and 11 findings made against him, most of which related to comments he had made about other councillors and the then CEO.

The sacking took place before his 2019 trial in criminal court where he was found guilty of misconduct in a public office.

The Hervey Bay District Court found Loft tailored a job position and manipulated the hiring process to benefit his former campaign manager Brian Downie.

For this, he was sentenced to 12 months in jail and had to serve six.

Several other charges from the CCC were discontinued.

Mr Loft has always claimed the trigger for the Crime and Corruption Commission investigation during his time as the council’s controversial elected chief was politically motivated.

The CCC was offered a right of reply and asked whether it was “satisfied the investigation into the former mayor was carried out independently and without interference/influence from any members of the Labor Party”.

On Wednesday a spokesman replied “the CCC declines to comment”.

Former State Opposition leader and Nanango MP Deb Frecklington was asked during a press conference in Bundaberg on Tuesday morning if she believed the new review into the CCC should include examine Mr Loft’s case for any evidence of State Government interference/influence and whether the outspoken conservative mayor would have been pursued so vigorously had he not been seen as political enemy of the Labor Party.

Ms Frecklington replied: “I won’t comment on individual cases, but what I will say is that the Opposition strongly supports a review into the CCC and the failings under the CCC and the influence under the State Government into the workings of the CCC … that has to happen.”

The Premier’s office was also given the chance to respond to Mr Loft’s comments.

A spokesman replied “any witnesses called to the Commission of Inquiry will be at the discretion of Mr Fitzgerald. The inquiry has been established in response to recommendations made by the bipartisan Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee which is chaired by the LNP.”