‘This is just the beginning’: Sacked Logan councillor Phil Pidgeon vows to fight after CCC resignation
The head of the parliamentary team which handed down a damning report into the state’s crime watchdog has called for a commission of inquiry.
Local
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The head of the parliamentary team which found the state’s crime watchdog had acted outside of its realm, has called for a commission of inquiry.
Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee chairman Jon Krause was speaking out after the surprise resignation of CCC chairman Alan MacSporran on Tuesday.
Mr Krause said he looked forward to seeing the government implement his committee’s six recommendations handed down in October.
He said the CCC had “extraordinary powers”, including to compel people to give evidence in the Star Chamber and implementing the PCCC recommendations would allow it to act effectively, independently and impartially.
“Some of the committee’s findings in the Logan inquiry were extremely serious because it found the CCC wasn’t always acting as it ought to,” Mr Krause said.
“The report speaks for itself. I look forward to seeing the government implement the committee’s recommendation that a commission of inquiry or similar should be held, as recommended in the report.
“I represent a small portion of Logan City, and understand the impact this series of events has had on the reputation of the council, city and residents.
“I hope that the report, and the decision witnessed on Tuesday, can be the start of putting all of this in the past for Logan.”
Mr MacSporran’s resignation, which comes into effect on Friday, triggered an outpouring of anger and disbelief in Logan.
Former Logan City councillor Phil Pidgeon, who unleashed calls for Mr MacSporran to resign on Monday, said the resignation was “just the beginning” in his bid for justice.
Mr Pidgeon, whose 2019 fraud charges were dropped after he was dismissed from his Logan council post he had held for 23 years, said he was proud to be one of the people responsible for bringing about accountability of the CCC.
“It’s about bloody time,” Mr Pidgeon said.
“This is a reminder to those who think that this is finished.
“I am only starting and I am not going to stop in my determination to get justice for the actions of the CCC that have destroyed the lives of many innocent people who were never the subject of any investigation or false charges.
“It is gob smacking that even in resigning, Mr MacSporran cannot remotely acknowledge the findings of the PCCC’s public inquiry and the subsequent damning report to parliament.”
Mr MacSporran advised the Attorney-General that his resignation would take effect on Friday.
As a Queen’s Counsel and criminal barrister, Mr MacSporran started with the CCC in 2015 and chalked up more than 40 years’ experience in the criminal justice system defending and prosecuting.
“Many people have urged me to continue in this important role, despite the recent finding contained in the report of the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee,” he said.
“However, I find myself in a position where, despite a career spanning in excess of 40 years, where my honesty and integrity have never been questioned, it is clear to me that the relationship between myself and the PCCC has broken down irretrievably. This saddens me deeply.
“In my long career, I have never, ever, let extraneous irrelevant considerations enter my thinking about a decision relating to the proper exercising of powers in proceedings as a Queen’s Counsel criminal barrister or as CCC chairman.”
In his resignation post, the CCC chief said investigating corruption and major crime was complex, especially when those who were the subject of allegations had high public profiles.
The crime boss came under fire during a lengthy parliamentary investigation which found he had been biased when trying to protect Logan City Council’s sacked CEO Sharon Kelsey, after she launched a legal battle in the industrial court in 2018.
Ms Kelsey, who still has outstanding matters before a court but is now living in Victoria, declined to comment about Mr MacSporran.
TIMELINE
June 27, 2017: Sharon Kelsey starts work as CEO of Logan City Council
August 7, 2017: Ms Kelsey’s first contact with the CCC
September 11, 2017: Darren Power knew of Ms Kelsey’s involvement with CCC
October 10, 2017: First 90-day probationary review of Ms Kelsey’s performance
October 12, 2017: Public Interest Disclosure served on Logan councillors
November 29, 2017: CCC emails Ms Kelsey about serving a warrant on council
December 4, 2017: Warrant served and CCC at the council
January 5, 2018: councillors advised to check Ms Kelsey’s past employment
February 5, 2018: CCC sends warning letter to all councillors
February 7, 2018: Councillors receive legal advice not to consider the PID when deciding on Ms Kelsey’s continued employment.
February 7, 2018: Logan council votes 7 to 5 not to extend Ms Kelsey’s employment past probation
July 10, 2018: CCC informed councillors of Luke Smith investigation
August 6, 2018: Ms Kelsey meets MacSporran to ask if there was funding for her QIRC legal fees to be covered by an ex-gratia payment
August 7, 2018: Mr MacSporran delivers a letter to Minister Stirling Hinchliffe requesting ex-gratia payment of Ms Kelsey’s legal fees
November 18, 2018: CCC informs councillors of Luke Smith investigation
November: A reinstatement application is made.
December 2018: 15 days of QIRC hearings finish of February 15, 2019 to be resumed later
April 26, 2019: Eight councillors charged with a criminal offence days before final QIRC submissions
May 6, 2019: council dismissed and an administrator appointed
April 2020: new council elected
November 30, 2020: first of nine days of committal hearing
April 16, 2021: QIRC dismisses Ms Kelsey’s reinstatement application. Dismissal order suppressed
April 18, 2021: DPP withdraws all charges
May 28, 2021: Crime and Corruption Committee resolves to investigate issues raised by Local Government Association of Queensland
Nov 2021: PCC hands down its findings
Jan 2022: Mr MacSporran resigns
Controversial changes to inner-city parking get go-ahead
Brisbane City Council plans to introduce controversial rule changes to inner-city parking as soon as possible, despite claims some new unit projects might have no car park spaces at all.
Mater’s new chief takes reins as private health sector faces turmoil
The Mater’s new chief executive will continue the hospital group’s legacy of female leadership and will oversee 11 hospitals across Queensland during a period of turmoil in private healthcare.