Member for Dickson Peter Dutton says he wants a swift outcome after mayor Allan Sutherland charged by CCC

Home Affairs minister Peter Dutton says he hopes the “dark cloud” can be lifted from a southeast Queensland council as soon as possible after its mayor was charged with misconduct by the Crime and Corruption Commission.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton says he hopes the “dark cloud” can be lifted from Moreton Bay Council as soon as possible. Picture Kym Smith

HOME affairs minister Peter Dutton says he hopes the “dark cloud” can be lifted from Moreton Bay Council as soon as possible.

Mayor Allan Sutherland was yesterday arrested and charged with two counts of misconduct by the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) before being released on bail.

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He was expected to front Brisbane Magistrates on February 5 next year, saying he would defend the charges fully.

Mr Dutton, whose electorates lies within Moreton Bay, said he hoped the matter could be finalised as quickly as possible.

“The Mayor along with local councillor Adrian Raedel are now before the court and the investigation is still ongoing so I can’t comment further on that matter,” he told Pine Rivers Press.

Moreton Mayor Allan Sutherland was yesterday arrested and charged by the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) before being released on bail. Pic Darren England.

“A lot of local residents will be shocked and disappointed at this news while many others I have spoken with will not be.

“Residents have been increasingly concerned about a number of decisions and practices of this council for some time.

“Unfortunately this taints a lot of good local councillors.”

Mr Dutton also commended the CCC for its work in cleaning up local government over the past few years.

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“It follows on from the work of the CCC in the arrest of Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale,” he said.

Right after the May federal election, Mr Dutton said his relationship with Cr Sutherland had broken down.

“There’s no way I’m meeting with Allan Sutherland until he’s been cleared by the CCC,” he said in May.

“I’ve got an excellent relationship with most councillors but the relationship with the mayor has broken down.”