LNP refers Brisbane Councillor Kate Richards to Crime and Corruption Commission

The LNP Brisbane City councillor referred to the state’s Crime and Corruption Commission by the president of her own party has said she is “deeply disappointed by the vexatious statement” released by the LNP.

LNP Councillor Kate Richards.

THE LNP has referred allegations concerning one of its Brisbane City Councillors to the state’s corruption watchdog.

The party this morning asked the Crime and Corruption Commission to look into allegations involving Cr Kate Richards, with nominations for the Pullenvale Ward to reopen in the coming days.

The revelation comes just months before the local government elections in March.

In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, Cr Richards said she was “deeply disappointed by the vexatious statement” released by the LNP, but was buoyed by the support of many fellow LNP councillors and others in the party.

LNP President David Hutchinson at the 2019 LNP conference at RNA Convention Centre. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Gosling

“There is a faction within the LNP that has been trying to vilify me since my initial pre-selection in 2015 with no basis, and despite the support I have from my constituents in the Pullenvale Ward,” she said.

“To allege there are “extremely grave” claims without providing details to me of these claims is utterly inconsistent with advice sent out to all Queensland local government councils and political parties three weeks ago by CCC Chair Alan MacSporran QC, not to use complaints to the CCC as political leverage leading up to the March 2020 Local Government elections.

“I am seeking advice before I make further comment.”

Cr Richards’ lawyer, Terry O’Gorman, said “very minor matters” were raised at two pre selection meetings over the last few months.

“At both meetings, she’s been stripped of her mobile phone at the front door, she’s been made to sign a confidentiality agreement and here we have the LNP using the CCC complaints process to gain some political advantage,” he said.

Lawyer Terry O'Gorman believed it was “most unlikely” that Cr Richards would be charged with a criminal offence.

Mr O’Gorman said the issues raised didn’t “come anywhere near corruption, they don’t come anywhere near maladministration”, and that Cr Richards responded to the issues.

“She was told late last week that there was an issue about her preselection but she has not been given anything in writing to indicate that there are any sort of worthwhile allegations that require investigation let alone something called extremely grave allegations,” he said.

“We haven’t been given, particularly in writing, we haven’t been given any indication at all about what the allegations are.

“She has been subject to undermining, she has been subject to white-anting ever since she was pre selected three or four years ago.”

He believed it was “most unlikely” that Cr Richards would be charged with a criminal offence.

In an earlier statement to The Courier-Mail, the LNP confirmed the referral, claiming a “number of issues that have come to light during our applicant review process”.

LNP president David Hutchinson said the decision to refer a sitting Councillor to the CCC was one the party had made only after lengthy and forensic consideration.

“I understand that this decision will cause great distress to many members of the party and the community,” he said.

LNP councillor Kate Richards

“Although we cannot disclose the nature of the claims, I can say that they are extremely grave and not something the LNP was prepared to ignore.

“We take very seriously our obligations under the law, and we expect our elected representatives to do so as well.

“I also understand that this decision will present some challenges for the Lord Mayor and his team.

“But unfortunately that is the price that we must pay for setting and enforcing high standards for our elected representatives.”

Labor Lord Mayoral candidate Patrick Condren said Adrian Schrinner should immediately stand Ms Richards aside while the CCC assesses the referral.

“These are stunning revelations and Adrian Schrinner has no choice but to stand this councillor down immediately,” he said.

“Even his own party has described the allegations as extremely grave.

“Adrian Schrinner has a lot of questions answer.”

Cr Richards was elected to represent the Pullenvale Ward in 2016.

Mr Hutchinson said the party’s Disputes Committee would be asked to consider the matter and make a recommendation regarding Cr Richards’ LNP membership.

“The LNP concerns itself with the standards of behaviour of its members, and whether their actions could bring the party into disrepute,” he said.