Ministers called to testify in suspended mayor Allan Sutherland misconduct case

Queensland’s police and state development ministers named as witnesses in charges against Allan Sutherland.

Suspended Moreton Bay Mayor Allan Sutherland. Picture: Dominika Lis

Two of Queensland’s cabinet ministers have been named as witnesses in misconduct charges against suspended veteran mayor Allan Sutherland.

The long-serving mayor of the Moreton Bay Regional Council, Australia’s third largest local government, Councillor Sutherland is facing two charges of misconduct in public office after an investigation by Queensland’s integrity watchdog, the Crime and Corruption Commission.

Court documents show that Cameron Dick, the Queensland minister of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning and Police Minister Mark Ryan are both listed as witnesses in the CCC case.

Cr Sutherland is the fourth mayor in south-east Queensland to face criminal charges since 2017, with former Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale jailed last year for extortion and facing further corruption charges.

Logan Mayor Luke Smith is also facing corruption charges and Mr Pisasale’s successor, Andrew Antoniolli, was also convicted of fraud last year.

Cr Sutherland, who had already announced his retirement ahead of the March local government elections, was arrested in December, last year and his charges were mentioned on Wednesday in the Brisbane Magistrates Court.

He did not appear.

Police and Planning Minister Mark Ryan. Picture: Alix Sweeney

State Development Minister Cameron Dick.

Court documents show that one of the charges alleges that Cr Sutherland last year “lobbied a change in amendments to a local government planning scheme for what he perceived was a personal gain despite having a conflict of interest’’.

The other charge relates to Cr Sutherland allegedly “advocated a shift in the timing of the Paradise Road project” despite having a conflict of interest

According to public property records, Cr Sutherland and his wife, Gayle, own a two hectare property at 1 Paradise Rd, Burpengary, on which there is a development application for a subdivision.

Cr Sutherland, who previously has said he would fight the charges, did not appear in court.

The case was adjourned for another mention on March 23.

In granting bail, Cr Sutherland has been ordered not to make contact with a list of witnesses, including Mr Dick and Mr Ryan.