No sure thing: Cairns Regional Council to appoint its next CEO with interim boss’s absence raising questions

Cairns Regional Council will appoint its top boss today with the controversial frontrunner expected to miss out on the key civic post.

Cairns Regional Council will appoint its top boss today with a controversial frontrunner expected to miss out on the key posting.

Mayor Amy Eden chaired a four-personal panel that named her former campaign adviser, John Andrejic, as interim CEO in May, with some councillors questioning the “integrity and ethics” of the selection process at the time.

Cairns Regional Council interim chief executive John Andrejic at the Cairns Regional Council ordinary meeting. Picture: Brendan Radke

But following a council vote to dissolve Ms Eden’s panel in August, recruitment company Davidson has guided the search for the council’s next chief executive with the mayor recused from any meetings or interviews with candidates.

It is expected that Deputy Mayor Brett Olds will chair a special meeting in the chambers on Thursday morning with a permanent CEO to be announced soon after.

Cairns Regional Council Mayor Amy Eden and CEO John Andrejic during the ordinary Council meeting on June 5.

Mr Andrejic, who didn’t attend a council meeting on Wednesday, applied for the job but is considered unlikely to assume the position which pays around $420,000 per year.

A council spokesman said the interim chief executive is currently “on leave” and confirmed he would not be at work on Thursday.

Mr Andrejic’s influence helped Ms Eden become mayor this year but has also sparked controversies.

In February, he became embroiled in a “profanity-laden” argument with former mayor and friend Bob Manning after placing a Team Eden corflute outside his home, leading to a police report.

Cairns Regional Council CEO John Andrejic during the ordinary Council meeting on June 5th. Picture Emily Barker.

In June, conflict of interest concerns relating to his appointment drew the attention of Local Government Minister Meaghan Scanlon, who confirmed that the matter had been referred to the state’s top anti-corruption watchdog, the Crime and Corruption Commission.

There was no allegation of any wrongdoing against Mr Andrejic.

When asked if she had been contacted by the CCC that month, Ms Eden sensationally walked out of a press conference rather than answer the question, before requesting that it be sent in an email instead.

In August, the chartered accountant drew criticism for approving a two-day, $30,000 ratepayer funded workshop for councillors at a five-star luxury “adults only” resort in Palm Cove.

Cairns Regional Council Mayor Amy Eden and CEO John Andrejic during the ordinary Council meeting on June 5th. Picture Emily Barker.

Mr Andrejic didn’t attend the state election forum luncheon held in the city last Friday with several councillors sitting at a separate table to Ms Eden at the event.

The councillors left the debate early to attend a meeting regarding the crucial CEO appointment while the mayor stayed.

Council’s special meeting will be held at 9am.

Mr Andrejic didn’t respond to calls prior to deadline.

A council spokesperson has previously said neither Mr Andrejic, nor Ms Eden had been contacted by the CCC.

Originally published as No sure thing: Cairns Regional Council to appoint its next CEO with interim boss’s absence raising questions