Conflict of interest issues dog Cairns mayor ahead of meeting to appoint interim CEO
A meeting between the Cairns mayor and a hopeful CEO has thrown their prospective appointment in doubt after councillors raised conflict of interest concerns. DETAILS.
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Cairns councillors will vote to appoint an interim CEO, with former top boss John Andrejic tipped to make an extraordinary return to the role he sensationally quit in 2021.
But questions regarding Cairns Regional Council Mayor Amy Eden’s relationship with the chartered accountant have been raised, with Cairns councillors flagging several potential conflict of interest concerns in recent weeks.
In a snap meeting to be held on Wednesday, it’s understood Mr Andrejic and a second unnamed candidate will be put forward as nominees by the committee, in concert with recruitment agency Peak Services.
Mr Andrejic, who volunteered for Ms Eden during her mayoral campaign, is considered the frontrunner for the job and is expected to be recommended by the committee.
In an effort to address any conflict of interest issues, Ms Eden and councillors met with lawyer Troy Webb earlier this month to discuss Mr Andrejic’s appointment.
Since then multiple councillors have flagged internally a meeting between Ms Eden, Mr Andrejic and two other councillors on Wednesday, March 20, as a possible issue.
During the meeting the group discussed how then chief executive Mica Martin should be “dismissed”.
In April, Ms Martin and Ms Eden came to a “mutual agreement” to end the former chief executive’s tenure in the key civic post.
It has also been claimed one of the councillors present at the meeting asked Mr Andrejic if he would be interested in returning to his old job.
It’s understood that a councillor sought and received verbal confirmation from all three elected representatives the meeting took place.
Ms Eden has also disclosed to councillors that she stayed at Mr Andrejic’s Cardwell property on three occasions between September 2021 and July 2022 but paid “full price” for the accommodation.
The special meeting is scheduled to start at 9am before quickly entering a closed session to debate whether Ms Eden can vote on the CEO appointment.
If she can, Mr Andrejic is all but assured the job with at least four other councillors expected to vote for him at the meeting.
Councillors approved the formation of a recruitment committee chaired by Ms Eden with deputy mayor Brett Olds and councillors Matthew Tickner and Cathy Zeiger as members last month.
A Brisbane-based company was then awarded a contract to appoint a temporary chief executive, a move that angered local recruitment companies who were overlooked for the job.
A source familiar with the process said that it was a far cry from the “full and open process” that had been promised in the hunt for a new chief executive.
“I see this is as a real problem for Amy Eden, having campaigned on transparency and accountability,” they said.
“Once you’re the interim CEO, you’re in the driver’s seat for the top job.”
Mr Andrejic was questioned by police following a profanity-laden argument with former mayor Bob Manning earlier this year after placing a Team Eden corflute near Mr Manning’s home.
Two days after the incident occurred, prominent business identity Greg Nucifora – who also campaigned for Ms Eden – returned to the same suburban street to place election signage near Mr Manning’s home again.
No charges were laid against Mr Andrejic, who has declined repeated requests for comment from the Cairns Post since the incident.
Ms Eden and councillors contacted by the Cairns Post did not return calls.
A council spokesman said “out of respect to the council process it would be inappropriate to pre-empt the outcome”.
“We can confirm that a special meeting will be held tomorrow for elected members to appoint an interim CEO,” the spokesman said.
“We can confirm that a thorough and rigorous process has been undertaken nationwide.”
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Originally published as Conflict of interest issues dog Cairns mayor ahead of meeting to appoint interim CEO
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