Mayor Tom Tate: They are looking for a needle in a haystack — and in this one there is no needle there

Mayor Tom Tate is urging the Crime and Corruption Commission to finish up its investigation into the Gold Coast City Council, saying it is looking for a needle in a haystack which it won’t find.

MAYOR Tom Tate is urging the Crime and Corruption Commission to finish up its investigation into the Gold Coast City Council — saying it is looking for a needle in a haystack which it won’t find.

The explosive comments by the Mayor, made at a media conference today, follow 12 months of frustration about the lengthy CCC inquiry.

Mayor Tom Tate and Deputy Mayor Donna Gates at council. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

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In June last year the Mayor sent a letter to CCC chairman Alan MacSporran, QC, asking that either he or an officer meet with council after the investigation was made public earlier in February.

Cr Tate today said: “All I can say is don’t use the M1, you can get down here quicker.”

He then repeated his argument that “justice delayed is justice denied” and called on the CCC to issue an interim report.

“Surely you’ve found some findings, whether it is positive or negative and release it to the government so they can do some action on it. Or don’t, so that the reputation of the city is not tarnished,” Cr Tate said.

“The thing hanging out there is not right, so get on with it and finish it off. But I will say it anyway, because it’s the way it rolls — I believe they are looking for a needle in a haystack.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate at council. Picture: Jerad Williams.

“And in this one there is no needle there. So keep looking. My attitude is — I hope the government at the end of the day do a cost-benefit analysis of this investigation.”

The CCC is investigating a number of allegations into the council, including an accusation Cr Tate engineered council decisions to secure personal gain.

Chair Alan MacSporran QC, at the Crime and Corruption Commission in Fortitude Valley.

The watchdog is looking into whether Cr Tate and Deputy Mayor Donna Gates both failed to declare an interest and partnership in race horses; decisions around the filling in of Black Swan Lake; the sale of the Bruce Bishop Carpark in Surfers Paradise; mayoral directives to council CEO Dale Dickson; a Surfers Paradise Bowls Club deal; a new contract for the CEO; the Mayor’s privately funded trip to China and whether he failed to declare a conflict of interest into the building of the Surfers Paradise supertower Spirit.

Cr Tate has always said he “respects the confidentiality of the CCC”. Mr Dickson said he “will assist the CCC when, and if, requested’’. Cr Gates said she will “fully co-operate with the CCC if required’’.