Revealed: growing dirt file as Gold Coast gets more councillor complaints

The Gold Coast City Council remains one of the leading local authorities for complaints and investigations by the new Office of Independent Assessor, with a stunning number of cases recorded.

THE Gold Coast City Council remains one of the top local authorities for complaints and investigations by the new Office of Independent Assessor.

Updated figures reveal the Gold Coast has had 118 complaints from July 2019 to June 30. Those issues complained about range from breach of trust, conflict of interest and councillor conduct.

Kathleen Florian Independent Assessor — calling for a conversation on how to improve the complaint system. Picture: Peter Wallis.

Other councils in the southeast recorded the following number of complaints: Moreton Bay 82, Redland City 46, Brisbane City 44, Sunshine Coast 34 and Logan City 5. Noosa had 142 complaints, but the OIA noted 130 related to a former councillor which impacted on overall results.

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The Gold Coast currently is the subject of 16 investigations by the OIA. A further three matters are listed as “legals”, two are with the Councillor Conduct Tribunal and five as finalised. This is by far the largest number in the southeast apart from Brisbane with 16 investigations.

The overall findings have prompted calls by Independent Assessor Kathleen Florian to improve the complaint process to ensure better integrity.

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“While the OIA is the independent body that receives and assesses councillor conduct complaints, it can only investigate lower-level inappropriate conduct if it is tied to misconduct. Complaints that solely raise suspicions of inappropriate conduct proceed through a natural justice process with the councillor,” she said.

“This process often results in a councillor providing a detailed account and other relevant material which allows the OIA to take no further action or dismiss a matter at this point, when appropriate. However, if the OIA still suspects inappropriate conduct the matter must be referred to the relevant local government to deal with and the OIA has observed varying standards prevail at this stage.

Polling at Surfers Paradise State School — elections prompted some complaints. Picture: Jerad Williams.

“While some councils have dealt with inappropriate conduct openly, objectively and fairly, other councils have expressed concerns about councillors sitting in judgment of their peers and their reluctance to substantiate a conduct allegation.

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“Alliances are also cause for concern as councillors who belong to a team or voting bloc appear less likely to be found to have engaged in inappropriate conduct than someone who is on the political outer. Issues have also been identified surrounding compliance with the council’s investigation policy, including the natural justice provision.”

Ms Florian said the OIA’s records backed up its concerns.

“Of the 48 inappropriate conduct matters which have been referred to local government, five were sustained, 11 were not sustained, one was referred back to the OIA, six were withdrawn or dismissed, and the remainder are either unresolved or the council is yet to advise the OIA of an outcome,” she said.

Evandale chambers — often councillors decide on action against colleagues. Pic by Richard Gosling.

“While the OIA has observed indicators of a strengthening integrity culture overall, it may be the case that further legislative amendments are needed to ensure consistent standards are transparently applied across local government when it comes to inappropriate conduct.”

Ms Florian said the OIA was currently identifying a panel of external investigators who “come with a good reputation and reasonable price tag” and may be of use to local governments in quickly, independently and consistently investigating matters particularly where they involve inappropriate conduct complaints by one councillor against another or complaints against a mayor.