Magistrate frustrated at delays in ex-Logan mayor Luke Smith’s case
The magistrate overseeing the committal hearing for ex-Logan mayor Luke Smith on charges of corruption and perjury has expressed frustration at delays in the case.
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THE magistrate in ex-Logan mayor Luke Smith’s committal hearing to find out whether he will stand trial on charges of corruption and perjury has expressed frustration at delays in the case.
Mr Smith’s hearing was originally scheduled for five days in Beenleigh Magistrates Court, beginning Tuesday, but due to problems with scheduling witnesses, only one-and-a-half days were used in effect, the court adjourning by 1pm on Tuesday, Thursday and today.
Only eight of an expected 12, possibly 13, witnesses took the stand over the three days.
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Magistrate Clare Kelly said she was “concerned” that the charges were first before the court in April 2018 and yet no resolution was on the horizon.
Ms Kelly said that she appreciated it was a “complex investigation” requiring the co-ordination of high-level Logan City Council employees, but was only prepared to grant the hearing one further day.
She said that further days could then be scheduled if required.
“The longer the dates are put away, there’s the chance that things could change as they have during the course of this (case),” Ms Kelly said.
Only one witness was able to be called today, after a dispute arose over paperwork in the possession of council’s economic development and strategy manager David Radich ruled him out of taking the stand.
Council’s former acting chief executive and founding chief executive of investLogan, Todd Rohl, was today delayed after he left his glasses in a hotel room.
He took the stand just after 10am.
Mr Rohl was questioned about an October 2016 event hosted by council, the Springwood Summit, which resulted in the declaration of Springwood as an Economic Development Zone, with discounts of up to $1 million offered to developers on their infrastructure fees.
One of the recommendations of the summit was to increase height limits in Springwood.
Mr Rohl said there was nothing untoward about Mr Smith’s support of the recommendations and that summits were planned for each of the six main hubs in Logan, not just Springwood.
The case against Mr Smith revolves around the claim he corruptly received a luxury powerboat in exchange for supporting a hotel development in Springwood which was five storeys over the maximum allowed under the local plan.
The committal hearing has been adjourned until April 17.
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