Crime and Corruption commission to investigate Gold Coast councillors for corrupt conduct

SOME Gold Coast councillors will be investigated by the Crime and Corruption Commission for “corrupt conduct” relating to decisions made in 2017.

The 2016-2020 Gold Coast City Council

THE Crime and Corruption Commission is investigating allegations of “corrupt conduct” by “some” Gold Coast councillors.

The allegations broadly involve possible conflicts of interest relating to decisions on a range of development matters on the Gold Coast.

According to a statement by the CCC, it was “referred some matters in September last year” to the then Department of Local Government, Infrastructure and Planning to investigate.

“The CCC has since considered an interim report from the Department,” the statement said.

“The allegations, which raise a reasonable suspicion of corrupt conduct, will now be investigated by the CCC.”

In a statement to the Gold Coast Bulletin, Mayor Tom Tate said: “I have no comment”.

It comes nearly two years after councillors were the subject of the Operation Belcarra investigation.

The CCC investigated allegations surrounding the 2016 local government and held hearings in April 2017.

During those hearings, Mayor Tom Tate, Deputy Mayor Donna Gates and Division 3 councillor Cameron Caldwell gave evidence.

The only person to be charged out of the inquiry was failed mayoral candidate Penny Toland who is currently facing perjury charges.

Previously the Gold Coast City Council was investigated by the state’s corruption watchdog in 1991 relating to the 1988 council election and in 2005 relating to the 2004 council elections.

The CCC now has a process to fulfil now they have officially launched an investigation into alleged corrupt conduct by some Gold Coast councillors.

It is understood letters were sent to some councillors and people related to the case today asking for their assistance.

Investigators will also issues subpoenas to talk to witnesses in relation to the allegations as well as gathering any documents they believe are pertinent.

The CCC also has the power to call witnesses to coercive investigative hearings which are closed to the public.

“Coercive crime investigative hearings are used to gather information and evidence not available by other investigative means in major crime investigations,” the CCC website says.

In those hearings witnesses are compelled to give evidence and those caught lying will face jail time.

In some cases it is an offence for witnesses to confirm they have been called to give evidence in front on a CCC hearing.

Investigations by the CCC can take months to finalise.