Logan mayor Luke Smith allegedly received luxury speedboat from Chinese developer

LOGAN mayor Luke Smith is facing an increasing amount of pressure to resign after he was allegedly given a luxury speedboat by a Chinese donor.

BUSINESS leaders have called on the mayor of Logan, south of Brisbane, to step aside amid allegations he corruptly received a speedboat boat from a Chinese developer.

Queensland’s Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has ruled out removing mayor Luke Smith from his post, saying it’s up to him to decide if he can continue.

But Logan Chamber of Commerce secretary Stewart Fleming says Smith should leave his posts while the allegations are dealt with.

“I think we need strong leadership,” Mr Fleming told ABC radio. “Even (if he’s) not guilty he’s going to have a lot to deal with and I think it’s probably unfair to expect the man to defend himself and continue to face internal battles.”

Logan mayor Luke Smith was arrested yesterday. Picture: Annette Dew

Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission alleges Smith lied to its Operation Belcarra, which was investigating alleged corruption in the March 2016 council elections.

The 48-year-old has been charged with official corruption, failing to correct his council register of interests and two counts of perjury.

The CCC found the company Logan Futures created an “artificial separation” between Smith and his financial backers, which reduced the transparency of donations.

The company was set up to direct donations and pay campaign expenses and received $377,883 from dozens of property developers and businesses.

The ABC has reported that the charges against Smith relate to a speedboat given to him by a Chinese developer which he later sold.

An older model of the Sea Ray 240 Sundeck speedboat Smith was allegedly gifted. Picture: Ken Matts

Acting on the watchdog’s recommendation, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in October introduced legislation banning political donations from property developers, which is due to be voted on in State Parliament by May.

Smith is scheduled to front Beenleigh Magistrates Court on April 17. He is expected to contest the charges.

Yesterday, he tweeted he would be “vigorously defending” the charges.

I will be vigorously defending the charges laid by the CCC. I have been willingly assisting the CCC with their investigation as part of Op Belcarra. To this day I have not been given details of allegations behind these charges but I will be absolutely fighting this to the end.

— Mayor Luke Smith (@MayorLukeSmith) March 26, 2018