Gold Coast Council Poll: Glenn Tozer vows to continue to be council’s watchdog

The Hinterland councillor has vowed to continue to be a council watchdog reporting suspected cases of misconduct involving colleagues.

HINTERLAND councillor Glenn Tozer has vowed to continue to be a council watchdog reporting suspected cases of misconduct involving colleagues.

In a newsletter to residents, the Mudgeeraba councillor said ratepayers could “trust that I’ll keep up this important work if you elect me as your councillor”. He noted no corruption findings have been made against council.

Councillor Glenn Tozer giving a speech at the Mudgeeraba Chamber of Commerce.

During his address to the Mudgeeraba Chamber of Commerce, Cr Tozer explained why he complained to the Crime and Corruption Commission, which sparked referrals to the Office of the Independent Assessor.

“The last four years I have very privately and very confidentially been making complaints about conduct that I think is questionable,” he said.

“I’m required under the councillor’s code of conduct to report suspected misconduct. If I look away when I see something or aware of something that is suspected misconduct, I am breaking the law.

“Any politician who looks away is breaking the law. I won’t be that sort of politician. I’m not going to look away for the good of the economy. I’m not going to look away because of a relationship.”

Councillor Glenn Tozer after speaking at the Mudgeeraba Chamber of Commerce breakfast.

The CCC’s Operation Yabba report found no grounds for criminal or corruption charges and referred matters to the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA).

Mayor Tom Tate has denied any wrong doing or inappropriate conduct after a complaint was referred to the OIA regarding mayoral directives.

Division 9 candidate Mary-Anne Hossack has commented on Cr Tozer’s relationship with the mayor saying “I’d really like Division 9 to get the councillor’s attention rather than all the infighting”.

But Cr Tozer told chamber members: “If you hear that I’m arguing with the mayor, or arguing with one of my colleagues for reasons that are personal, that’s rubbish. Rubbish. The reason we are at odds because I have witnessed conduct that is suspect and I’m obligated under the law to report it. And that it what’s happening right now.”

At Friday’s meeting, Ms Hossack said she would support building a family health hub at Mudgeeraba which could help women at risk from domestic violence.

Mary-Anne Hossack, a candidate in the Gold Coast City Council poll, speaking at the Mudgeeraba Chamber of Commerce.

Her major focus was on improving transport links and preventing business people like herself having to set up mobile offices in their cars outside schools due to the congestion during the afternoon pick-up run for children. Another key concern was hooning.

Cr Tozer said Ms Hossack was focusing on State health, education and police issues.

“They are all State Government issues. She might better running off against Ros Bates in October if those platforms are important to her. Frankly, I’d appreciate the help at a state level,” he said.