Former Police Minister appointed new Aurukun Council CEO
In a surprise move, former Queensland police minister and Bundaberg mayor Jack Dempsey has been given the top job at Aurukun Shire Council.
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In a surprise move, former Queensland police minister and Bundaberg mayor Jack Dempsey has been given the top job at Aurukun Shire Council.
A town source has described the decision, which came after a nationwide search, as “an interesting choice”.
Mr Demspey, 58, served as the Queensland minister for police and community safety in the Newman government and was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly from 2006 to 2015.
He was the Bundaberg Mayor from 2016 to 2024 where he lost his seat comprehensively at the March elections.
Mr Dempsey ran as an independent in the federal seat of Hinkler at the 2022 federal election and received 13 per cent of the vote, finishing third.
Mr Demspey will replace acting CEO, Juanita Warner.
In December 2023, council voted to reinstall former CEO John Thomas, but he failed to show up when his reappointment began on January 15 this year.
Mr Dempsey will commence his role in late July.
The council has been approached for comment.
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