Ratepayers pay price for Hajnal Black's antics as Logan councillor remains in hiding
RATEPAYERS are forking out more than $100,000 to fugitive councillor Hajnal Black, but she has come under fire for spending more time in court than in council.
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RATEPAYERS are forking out more than $100,000 to fugitive councillor Hajnal Black, but she has come under fire for spending more time in court than in council.
Ms Black has evaded police since an arrest warrant was issued on Friday and has not been seen since Monday afternoon.
Her husband, Sean Black - the campaign manager for the LNP's Logan candidate Michael Pucci and also a Logan councillor - said on Tuesday that he had "no idea" where his wife was and that he hoped she would turn herself into police.
Between them, the councillors rake in more than $200,000 annually, enjoy unrestricted access to a car and mobile phone, and share in many other perks, including free postage.
Logan Mayor Pam Parker questioned Hajnal Black's work ethic ahead of next month's council elections: "Missing meetings is very common. I've been through three or four years of hell. People think the mayor has powers to control councillors, but I have no ability like that."
Logan MP John Mickel said: "It is disgusting that police resources are being wasted on bringing Cr (Hajnal) Black to justice. She isn't fit to hold the high office to which she's been elected. She's meant to be upholding the law."
Deputy Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said a decision on whether Cr Black should be expelled from the LNP was a matter for the organisation.
"I don't know all the details of what is going on there (but) it seems to be an unsatisfactory situation," Mr Nicholls said yesterday.
Former Logan councillor and Katter's Australian Party Queensland Leader Aidan McLindon said he hadn't had much to do with the Blacks since being struck off the invite list to their 2010 wedding after defecting from the LNP, but her actions were "out of character".
"When I knew her she was never afraid of confrontation and never one to back away from a fight," he said of Ms Black, who at the time was the LNP candidate for Wright before being disendorsed weeks later.
"It's (politics) a tough game and I understand she'd be feeling a lot of pressure now, but she's just got to face her fears and put this chapter behind her.
"She should turn herself in for her family's and friends sake, who would be worried about her."
Those who did attend the Black wedding included LNP benefactor Clive Palmer, Senator Barnaby Joyce who referred to Sean as "the luckiest man in southeast Queensland", Opposition Transport spokeswoman Fiona Simpson and Senator Ron Boswell.
Last night, four police officers visited Cr Black's home in a bid to execute the arrest warrant but when they were unsuccessful, they were expected to go to Macgregor to speak to Mr Black.
A warrant was issued for the runaway councillor on Friday after she stormed out of a courtroom midway through a hearing into whether she failed to declare a pecuniary interest while in public office.
Mr Black told media outside his New Beith home yesterday he didn't know where his wife was. But, he said, he wasn't worried about her whereabouts.
It seems Ms Black's own constituents were also not concerned, with locals at Logan Central Plaza offering little support for the at-large politician yesterday.
"It's disgusting," said Logan office worker Margaret Wiltshire yesterday afternoon. "I think she's playing the game a bit because she's a solicitor."
Logan Central retiree Alice Hockins agreed, saying "I wouldn't vote for her ever".
Ipswich councillor Paul Tully yesterday posted a YouTube clip begging Ms Black to surrender.
"Times are often tough in politics but do you really want end your political career Hajnal in the back of police paddy wagon?" he said.
Additional reporting by Harry Brumpton
