Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale resigns

UPDATE: Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale has resigned citing health reasons as he faces an investigation by the state’s corruption watchdog.

• Pisasale’s ‘bag of cash’ at airport
• Paul Pisasale quits: What happens now?

IPSWICH Mayor Paul Pisasale has resigned, citing health reasons as he faces an investigation by the state’s corruption watchdog.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Mr Pisasale was allegedly stopped at an interstate airport by police with a bag containing $50,000 in cash.

Acting Ipswich mayor Paul Tully says he and the other councillors were shocked when police executed search warrants at the council offices and Paul Pisasale’s home on Monday.

The CCC has confirmed it executed a search warrant at Ipswich City Council yesterday.

A spokesperson said the search was related to an ongoing CCC investigation.

“As the investigation is ongoing, it is not appropriate for the CCC to comment further,” the spokesperson said.

Neighbours say they saw police at Paul Pisasale’s home yesterday while Cr Tully confirmed the police attended the council chambers on South St, about noon.

Cr Tully said he had been aware police were making inquiries in recent days but was shocked when the warrants were executed.

“The mood (at the council chambers) is one of surprise and it’s quite sombre,” Cr Tully said.

“The first indication they (the police) were going to execute a search warrant was when they arrived.”

Paul Pisasale, photographed in 2016, has resigned as mayor of Ipswich.

Cr Tully spoke of Paul Pisasale’s reputation as a social character, well-known throughout the city, the country and some parts of the world.

Cr Pisasale fronted a Crime and Corruption Commission hearing as part of the watchdog’s investigation into the Ipswich, Gold Coast and Moreton Bay council elections.

A fresh investigation into Cr Pisasale has been launched and a developer is also likely to be questioned as part of the probe.

Counselling for council staff

A leaked email sent to council staff reveals employees have been offered counselling services in the wake of Cr Pisasale’s shock resignation.

In the email, CEO Jim Lindsay says it will be “business as usual” around the council offices and says staff should not expect “upheaval”.

Mr Lindsay addressed “media speculation” around police attending the council offices on Monday, saying he couldn’t comment on it.

The QT reports Mr Lindsay is addressing council staff en masse at 1pm Tuesday.

Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale talks to media at St Andrews Hospital in Ipswich. Picture: Peter Wallis

The email sent to council staff

This morning Councillor Paul Pisasale resigned from his position as Mayor of the City of Ipswich.

He appeared before the media a short time ago from hospital to announce his resignation.

As many of you would be aware he has been dealing with MS for a considerable time and this has been taking its toll on his health and wellbeing.

I am aware there is speculation in the media around police attending Council yesterday and a CCC investigation.

I am sure you will understand that I am unable to make any comment in this regard.

Deputy Mayor Paul Tully will be acting Mayor for the immediate future and arrangements will be made for a By-election to elect a new Mayor for the city.

This is expected to occur within the next 3 months.

For us as an organisation it will be business as usual. We will continue to provide services to our residents in the same way as we did yesterday and going forward there are no plans for changes or upheaval.

The 2017/2018 budget is almost ready to go and once again it sets us in a strong position for future years.

From midday today I will be coming around to discuss the matter with all of you in person.

Your COO will advise what time to expect me and will also be available to discuss any concerns you may have.

We as a Council understand that in time of change, talking things through can sometimes provide some clarity. The Employee Assistance Program offers a confidential counselling service which is free of charge to all employees of the Ipswich city Council for up for four sessions per calendar year.

Access to this service is by self-referral.

Jim Lindsay

Chief Executive Officer

Pisasale attends press conference in pyjamas, socks

The long-serving mayor addressed the media at St Andrews Hospital while dressed in a hospital gown.

“It a very sad day for me, an emotional day,” he told media. “I love the city of Ipswich.”

Deputy Mayor Paul Tully will take over as acting Mayor.

Councillors have been briefed this morning about an unfolding Crime and Corruption Commission investigation.

Cr Tully later confirmed Cr Pisasale’s office was raided by police about noon on Monday.

The CCC also confirmed to The Courier-Mail it had executed a search warrant at Ipswich City Council yesterday.

“The search was related to an ongoing CCC investigation. As the investigation is ongoing, it is not appropriate for the CCC to comment further,” a spokesman for the CCC said.

Cr Pisasale made his way through the hospital to the press conference in a wheelchair.

Cr Pisasale, the mayor of Ipswich since 2004, announced his resignation, saying a recent episode of multiple sclerosis, which he has suffered for 26 years, had put him “up against the wall”.

“Now its my time to look after my health,” he told reporters.

He was dressed in a white robe and spoke quietly as he made the announcement.

He said he had been unwell for several weeks and had told deputy mayor Paul Tully of his intention to step down four weeks ago.

He took only a few questions from the media. When asked about a CCC investigation he said he would address that if the CCC made an announcement.

Cr Pisasale said his decision to step down was based on recent ongoing attacks related to multiple sclerosis.

“My journey has been going for about 26 years and I’m so proud to be a mayor that stood up to represent such a wonderful city. What I do love is the way the city transformed.

“I love this city, I think it is one of the most exciting cities on earth.”

Cr Pisasale said it was important to “get the information out there before everyone starts to speculate”.

“At times like this you sort of think, as a person who’s always had a lot to say to the media, you sort of think to yourself ‘where do you start’.”

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale dressed in his pyjamas at St Andrews Private Hospital in Ipswich. Pic Tim Marsden

Asked about the CCC investigation, Cr Pisasale said he would co-operate with investigators.

“Over the years I’ve co-operated wholeheartedly with the CCC and I will continue to do that,” he said

Cr Pisasale thanked his wife and children for their long-term support and said he would stay in Ipswich.

‘Interstate incident’ sparks fresh investigation of Pisasale

The Courier-Mail understands authorities launched a fresh investigation into Pisasale after an incident interstate.

It’s understood the Australian Federal Police is involved and that authorities yesterday raided several locations, including council offices and Mr Pisasale’s home.

A developer is also likely to be questioned as part of the probe.

Normally outspoken mayor Pisasale was quiet as he addressed media and took only a few questions. pic.twitter.com/NwiUdGrcYG

— Charlie Peel (@charliepeeled) June 6, 2017

The Mayor and the council CEO Jim Lindsay were due to fly to the US yesterday for the Smart City Awards, however, another councillor and staffer went in their place.

Mayor Pisasale was first elected to the council in March 1991 and appointed deputy mayor in April 2000.

He has served four terms as mayor since 2004.

Mr Pisasale has been an extremely popular mayor during his 13-year reign, winning more than 83 per cent of the vote at the last election.

He was one of a number of southeast Queensland mayors and council candidates called to give evidence at a public CCC hearing in April into political donations in local government elections.

The hearing heard Mr Pisasale received more than $220,000 in donations ahead of the 2016 election, but he denied the money had any influence on him.

“People give to churches but they don’t expect divine intervention,” Mr Pisasale said.