South Burnett councillor cleared of misconduct following complaint

South Burnett councillors have stood by Jane Erkens following a complaint which alleged she made an “inappropriate” statement to a business owner.

South Burnett councillors unanimously supported clearing its newest member over allegations she made an “inappropriate” statement to a business owner.

The complaint against councillor Jane Erkens made on June 6, less than a month after she was elected in the May by-election, was referred to the South Burnett Council meeting for a decision following a third party investigation.

A confidential report was tabled at the council’s September 28 meeting.

Mrs Erkens left the meeting during the discussion and vote.

The six remaining councillors agreed with the report’s findings that there was “insufficient information” to substantiate the complaint Ms Erkens made an inappropriate comment to a Nanango business owner.

Nanango's Jane Erkens won the May by-election to become the South Burnett Council’s division one councillor. Photo: SBRC

They agreed to not take any further action in relation to the complaint.

The council meeting minutes said notice of the outcome would be given to the Office of the Independent Assessor and complainant.

Ms Erkens has been contacted for comment.

It is the latest in almost a dozen complaints against South Burnett Council councillors to be dismissed this year so far.

Eleven complaints have been recorded in its online councillor conduct register.

The OIA has been under scrutiny as more examples of bizarre and frivolous complaints against councillors emerge.