Cr Allan Sutherland has likely performed his final act as mayor of Moreton Bay

Moreton Bay Council staff told to not communicate with suspended mayor Allan Sutherland as his tenure has effectively come to an end.

Moreton Bay Mayor Allan Sutherland has been suspended from his council duties after being charged with two counts of misconduct in relation to section 92A(1)(c) of the Queensland Criminal Code by the Crime and Corruption Commission. Picture: Bradley Cooper.

COUNCILLOR Allan Sutherland’s tenure as mayor of Moreton Bay is effectively over after he was barred from attending any council events in an official capacity and from communicating with staff.

Cr Sutherland, who previously said he would not contest the March 2020 election, was yesterday arrested and charged by the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) before being released on bail.

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Cr Sutherland is automatically suspended under the Act with full pay and Deputy Mayor Mike Charlton will assume to role of acting mayor.

Should Cr Sutherland’s suspension still be in place, he will be unable to preside over the opening of one of his proudest achievements — USC Moreton Bay.

In a statement from his lawyer, Cr Sutherland said he intended to ­defend the charges fully.

“What I can say though is that I have always acted honestly and in the best interests of the ratepayers of the Moreton Bay Region,” he said.

“I intend to defend these charges fully, and I am confident that my position will be vindicated when all of the evidence is available and considered.”

Cr Charlton will preside over the remaining six meetings of the current council prior to the 2020 March election.

“Following the suspension of Mayor Allan Sutherland, I have met with the Acting CEO to discuss Council’s operations moving forward,” Cr Charlton told Pine Rivers Press.

“The Acting CEO has advised that no staff are to communicate with Cr Sutherland, or with any other person acting on his behalf, in connection with any matters of official Council business.

“All functions of Council will continue as normal and I will respond to all incoming correspondence on behalf of the Mayor’s office.

“It is not only our duty as councillors to continue serving the Moreton Bay Region community, it is also our passion.

“In relation to the charges against Cr Sutherland, it is inappropriate to provide comment as the matter is before the courts.”

Cr Sutherland was yesterday charged with two counts of misconduct in relation to public office contrary to section 92A(1)(c) of the Queensland Criminal Code and was expected to front Brisbane Magistrates on February 5 next year.

The sections of the Code refers to: “A public officer who, with intent to dishonestly gain a benefit for the officer or another person or to dishonestly cause a detriment to another person.”

The maximum penalty is seven years imprisonment.

Acting CEO Graeme Kanofski this morning sent emails to all staff informing them of the charges.

“Accordingly, no staff are to communicate with the Mayor, or with any other person acting on his behalf, in connection with any matters of official Council business,” Mr Kanofski said.

“All matters must be referred to the CEO’s office.

“This organisation respects the law and legal process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in accordance with the law.”

He said all functions of the council would continue as normal

The CCC on September 2 stated that it was investigating Moreton Bay Regional ­Council over a number of ­allegations.

It said one of those related to Cr Sutherland.

In a statement, the CCC said its investigation into Cr Sutherland remained ongoing and it was unable to comment further as the matter was before the courts.

Cr Sutherland announced in August that he would retire at the March local government elections after spending 26 years in local government, including 16 as a mayor.

He was the former mayor of Redcliffe City Council and was elected mayor of Moreton Bay Regional Council in 2008 and re-elected in 2012 and March 2016.