Lawyers given go ahead for Logan council compensation case

A group of Brisbane lawyers has been given special release from the state government to represent seven ex Logan City councillors in what could be the largest compensation claim against the state.

Former Logan City councillors who are believed to be seeking compensation after fraud charges were dismissed.

A group of Brisbane lawyers has been given special release from government duties to represent seven former Logan City councillors in what could be the largest compensation claim against the state.

The state government has been informed that the compensation claim is being prepared on behalf of the seven former councillors who had fraud charges dismissed in April.

Ex councillors Russell Lutton, Steve Swenson, Laurie Smith, Phil Pidgeon, Cherie Dalley, Trevina Schwarz and Jennie Breene are believed to be parties to the compensation claim.

Former councillors (clockwise from top left) Russell Lutton, Steve Swenson, Laurie Smith, Phil Pidgeon, Jennie Breene, Trevina Schwarz and Cherie Dalley.

Solicitors and barristers from Brisbane-based McInnes Wilson Lawyers, who provide legal services to the state government, were given special release to represent the councillors in any potential compensation action against the state.

McInnes Wilson will head up any claim against the state along with other legal firms.

McInnes Wilson lawyer James Christensen is believed to be one of many lawyers on the team.

The compensation claim will coincide with a Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee inquiry into the way the state’s Crime and Corruption Commission investigated the former councillors which led to them being charged with fraud in 2019 before the charges were dismissed this year.

People with information about the CCC and its involvement at the council have been asked to lodge submissions before next week’s deadline.

The inquiry will focus on the CCC decision to charge the former councillors, the evidence given to the Director of Public Prosecutions, communication between the two bodies and the CCC’s involvement in an Queensland Industrial Relations Commission case involving the council’s former CEO Sharon Kelsey.

Public hearings will be held but the PCCC will also take portions of evidence in private.

People providing evidence will have full parliamentary privilege protection within the inquiry but have been warned about publishing elsewhere.

Submissions to the hearing close on Monday, July 26 at 12pm.