Suspended councillor Adrian Raedel has nominated for the position of mayor

Suspended councillor Adrian Raedel has nominated with the Electoral Commission Queensland for the position of mayor.

Cr Adrian Raedel (right) has nominated to run for mayor of Moreton Bay at the March 28 election.

A QUEENSLAND councillor facing corruption charges has nominated to run for mayor in the third largest council in Australia.

Adrian Raedel (Div 12) has nominated with the Electoral Commission Queensland for the position of mayor.

Cr Raedel was contacted for comment.

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In a video posted on Facebook, Cr Raedel spoke of his reasons for running as mayor, but did not mention the ongoing court case.

“I’m running in this election because I feel that we need a better lifestyle here in the Moreton Bay Region,” he said.

“I’ve got experience and the capability of leading the Moreton Bay region to make sure that future families, and our family, are in a place that is vibrant and there’s employment and it’s a great place to come and live and create your own lifestyle.”

He is one of four confirmed nominees for the position, the others being Cherie Porter, Eric Shields and Chris Thompson.

Cr Raedel still faces one count of official corruption brought be the Crime and Corruption Commission and has said he will fight the charge.

He had planned to run for mayor before he was charged by the CCC and automatically suspended from the council.

His charge was most recently mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates’ Court on February 17 and adjourned to March 11.

A spokesman from the ECQ said that under Section 26 of the Local Government Act 2011, if a person meets the requirements, they are eligible to run for office.

“Being under investigation by the CCC does not affect a person’s eligibility,” he said.

“However, should they be convicted of a disqualifying offense under the Local Government Act 2009, they would no longer meet the requirements to be a councillor.”

In March last year, Cr Raedel was reported to the Crime and Corruption Commission over allegations involving a long-time donor Tosh Murphy.

A statement from the CCC on June 27, 2019 said it would be alleged that Cr Raedel corruptly received benefits including a sum of money, prepaid travel, accommodation and advertising.