Watchdog says no evidence of corruption in Adani deal with Isaac Regional Council

ALLEGATIONS of corruption against Adani and the Isaac Regional Council have been thrown out by the Crime and Corruption Commission over a lack of evidence.

ALLEGATIONS of corruption against Adani and the Isaac Regional Council have been thrown out by the Crime and Corruption Commission over a lack of evidence.

Greens MP Michael Berkman made a complaint alleging potential corruption and conflict of interest over a deal in which Adani paid $1.5 million to the council to hire staff who would be used in assessing the Carmichael coal project, but would be employees of the council.

The staffing strategy was also used in the approvals of the LNG project when gas company staff were seconded to the Government to help with the workload and co-ordination.

The Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) has said there is no evidence of corruption relating to an arrangement between Adani and the Isaac Regional Council.

Isaac Mayor Anne Baker. Picture: John Andersen

“The CCC will not investigate this matter as there is no evidence that raises a reasonable suspicion of corrupt conduct,’’ the commission said in a statement.

“The CCC assessed material provided to it by the council and is satisfied, based on the information available, the financial arrangement between the council and Adani has not led to any actual conflict of interest.”

Isaac Mayor Anne Baker said the council had been vindicated by the CCC decision and added she had been disappointed by the misrepresentation of council’s role in the proposed Carmichael mine project.

“The extent of council’s involvement has only ever related to ensuring our residents were not disadvantaged by the additional costs, the additional workload and the additional impact on our local roads and infrastructure,” she said.

“This council is committed to ensuring the resources sector pays its way in this region, be it the proposed Carmichael mine or any significant project. Our residents will not be footing the bill for any multi-national.”

Adani said it welcomed the CCC’s statement that confirmed its agreement with Isaac Regional Council had ‘‘not led to any conflict of interest”.

The CCC added that the council’s code of conduct, which included provisions on conflicts of interest, applied to all those employed at the council.

“The CCC has been advised the selection of any staff that will be funded by the arrangement will be conducted using the usual merit-based process, a process which Adani is not involved in,’’ it said.