Cairns mayor referred to independent watchdog over relationship with interim CEO

Conflict of interest concerns related to a Far North mayor appointing a campaign volunteer as her council’s interim CEO have been referred to an independent watchdog.

Cairns Regional Council Mayor Amy Eden and CEO John Andrejic during Wednesday’s ordinary council meeting. The meeting was Mr Andrejic’s first as interim CEO.

Conflict of interest concerns related to a Far North mayor appointing a former campaign volunteer as her council’s interim CEO have been flagged with the state’s independent watchdog.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden chaired a selection committee that recommended her close “professional associate” and strategic advisor, John Andrejic be named council’s new chief executive.

The Office of the Independent Assessor refused to confirm that a complaint had been received in relation to Ms Eden.

“In general, the OIA will not confirm or deny whether it has received a complaint or is investigating a matter unless the complainant or the subject councillor makes it publicly known,” a spokeswoman said.

“If the matter becomes publicly known, the OIA may still not provide information to the media if there is a risk of prejudicing operational activities or where legal obligations require the OIA to maintain confidentiality.”

But it’s understood information has been passed onto the Queensland body, whose role is to investigate complaints made in relation to councillors’ conduct.

The Cairns Post also put questions to the Crime and Corruption Commission in relation to the matter who declined to comment.

Cairns Regional Council CEO John Andrejic hardly spoke during Council’s 43-minute ordinary meeting on Wednesday. Picture Emily Barker.

Meanwhile council’s decision to waste ratepayer’s money on legal fees to protect Mr Andrejic from being named in a story last week has drawn criticism from unions and academics across the country.

The Cairns Post sent questions to council regarding its preferred candidate for the interim CEO position – Mr Andrejic – last month to which it received a threatening legal letter demanding the newspaper not publish its article.

But the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance’s acting director, Michelle Rae, told ABC Radio that coverage of local government’s actions are in the public interest.

“As a union we will continue to push for protection of not only our members … but also the brave general public who tell the stories as they’re happening,” Ms Rae said.

Dr Denis Muller at the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Advancing Journalism said the threats were a waste of time and money.

“All they’ve tried to do is cover up something which is a substantial embarrassment to them,” Dr Muller told the public broadcaster.

The council has repeatedly refused to give an amount that it has spent on legal advice relating to Mr Andrejic’s appointment.

Efforts to reach Ms Eden prior to deadline were unsuccessful.

TIMELINE OF DENIAL

Saturday, March 16

Cairns mayor Amy Eden sees off a field of six other mayoral candidates, including incumbent Terry James and Paul Taylor, to claim a shock victory at the local government elections. During the campaign, Ms Eden was accused of significantly reproducing a Toowoomba councillor’s social media post and struggled to cite her own policies at a press conference on green waste. She also defended campaign volunteer, John Andrejic, after he was reported to police following a heated argument with former mayor Bob Manning at his home. She is later declared the winner by the Electoral Commission of Queensland.

Wednesday, March 20

Mayor Eden, deputy mayor Brett Olds and Division 3 councillor Cathy Zeiger meet with Mr Andrejic at a Woree bakery. At the meeting, Mr Olds asks Ms Eden’s campaign volunteer if he would return as CEO. The meeting was organised by Ms Eden.

Wednesday, April 24

Former Cairns CEO Mica Martin and Mayor Eden reach a “mutual agreement” for the chief executive to vacate her role. Ms Eden avoids speaking to the media following the meeting.

Monday, May 20

Councillors hold a meeting with McCullough Robertson Lawyers to thrash out their differences over the likely appointment of Mr Andrejic. Ms Eden and Ms Zeiger provide disclosure statements during the meeting. Council has since refused requests to reveal how much Council’s legal advice has cost ratepayers for the meeting.

Tuesday, May 28

Lawyers for Cairns Regional Council issue an unprecedented “urgent demand” for the Cairns Post to not publish an article in relation to a meeting to appoint the interim CEO. The Cairns Post responds to council’s lawyers and proceed to publish that Mr Andrejic is poised to become its next top boss.

Wednesday, May 29

Councillors convene for a special meeting to appoint its interim CEO but not without drama. Councillors vote that Ms Eden has a conflict of interest but that she can still partake in the vote to appoint its next chief executive. Division One councillor Brett Moller further claims that Ms Eden, Mr Olds and Ms Zeiger discussed Ms Martin’s “dismissal” at their meeting in March. Mr Andrejic reportedly advises them to discuss Ms Martin’s contract with the Director of People and Organisational Performance, Christine Posgate. Ms Eden angrily denies that she, along with Mr Olds and Ms Zeiger discussed with Mr Andrejic the prospect of him becoming Cairns’ next CEO at their March meeting. This account is later contradicted in a confidential document seen by the Cairns Post.

Friday, May 31

Mr Andrejic returns to Cairns Regional Council as interim CEO. The mayor and new chief executive enjoy lunch with business identity Greg Nucifora in the CBD.

Tuesday, June 4

The Cairns Post exclusively publishes a confidential document contradicting Ms Eden’s version of events around her March meeting with Mr Andrejic.

Wednesday, June 5

Mr Andrejic presides over his first ordinary council meeting as interim CEO. Ms Eden will chair the committee that recommends to council the council’s next permanent chief executive. Ms Eden has refused to step down from the role.

Originally published as Cairns mayor referred to independent watchdog over relationship with interim CEO