Deputy Mayor Donna Gates: “So quite clearly I made a loss on my donations”

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates has refunded donations from planning consultants which means her last major election fundraising day ended up being a loss.

DEPUTY Mayor Donna Gates has paid back $24,800 in donations from planning consultants from three years ago so she says she can represent constituents under the new conflict of interest reforms.

Councillor Gates has signed off on eight refunds on her Register of Interests, most of them to planning companies and a few developers.

The Bulletin understands the Deputy Mayor had obtained receipts of about $73,000 for a function in late 2016 at the Gold Coast Turf Club. It cost her about $50,000 to stage.

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Deputy Mayor Donna Gates officially opens the new bridge at Pimpama allowing direct access to Gainsborough Greens. Pic Tim Marsden.

Cr Gates said she was not sure whether many people were aware it was necessary to declare the gross amount of funds collected at an event and the cost was not deducted.

“So quite clearly I’ve made a loss,” she said. “I paid $50,000 to the turf club to put it on, for all the drinks, all the food, the bands, the airconditioning. It was an expensive exercise.

“I always felt by doing those larger events where the individual net contribution is quite small that I was in safer territory in regard to perceived conflicts than if I had taken a large donation from anybody. But it hasn’t turned out as I had anticipated.”

Cr Gates said she had made the decision to make the refunds – the amounts were repaid in December – because she wanted to be able to represent constituents under new conflict of interest reforms being introduced by the Palaszczuk Government.

Under the changes, the Deputy Mayor said it was difficult to remain in the council chamber during planning debates when “prescribed donors” were identified.

“I could be in a situation where I spent time out of the room where quite clearly I need to be inside the room to fully represent the people’s interest. Anything that’s retrospective obviously presents a difficulty. I guess there will be far fewer people seeking to get donations now,” she said.

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Aerial photo of the Gold Coast Turf Club. Pic by Luke Marsden.

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“I’ve not collected a donation since 2016 either for the same reason. I can’t turn the clock back. If I want to remain a representative, I have to work within the legislation and of course I will.”

Cr Gates said the retrospectivity of the new laws created unique challenges for her because the donations were made four years ago.

“I’m still fighting to have the State Government specifically reconsider the retrospectivity and other suggested reforms which, in my opinion, have an unintended consequence for the community.

“There is no doubt that I have appreciated support from a wide range of donors over many years. However, my focus has been on getting the best possible outcomes for the people who have placed their trust in me. What the residents want from their council – local roads, community safety, parks, shaded play areas, keeping rates low – will continue to be my focus.”