Conflict concern in CCC inquiry

Two senior barristers have been appointed to oversee the parliamentary inquiry into the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission’s Logan council investigation.

Queensland CCC chairman Alan MacSporran. Picture: Liam Kidston

One of the two lawyers appointed to oversee the parliamentary inquiry into the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission’s investigation into Logan City Council works from the same chamber that was previously home to the organisation’s chairman.

Ben McMillan was this week chosen alongside fellow barrister Jonathan Horton to act as independent counsel assisting the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee.

A seasoned barrister and ­mediator who has worked as counsel on several prominent inquiries, including the CCC’s landmark Operation Belcarra investigation into local government, Mr McMillan works out of More Chambers, where CCC chairman Alan MacSporran worked prior to becoming leader of the organisation.

But the chairman of the parliamentary committee, Liberal National Party MP Jon Krause, insisted there was no conflict of interest arising from Mr McMillan’s involvement.

“In line with their professional obligations, counsel provided the committee with an assurance that they have no conflict of interest in relation to this inquiry,” Mr Krause said.

“The committee sought further information about Mr McMillan’s role in Operation Belcarra, and is satisfied with Mr McMillan’s assurances regarding conflicts of interest.

“Although barristers working in the same chambers does not necessarily, of itself, create a conflict of interest, the committee has been advised that Mr McMillan joined More Chambers after Mr MacSporran had left those chambers.”

Mr Krause said the “extensive experience” of Mr McMillan and Mr Horton in commissions, reviews and inquiries would be valuable to assist the committee.

The inquiry was announced last month and is due to report back in November.

It will probe the alleged “in­appropriate intervention” of the CCC in the unfair dismissal case launched by sacked Logan council chief Sharon Kelsey, who had turned whistleblower against former mayor Luke Smith.

Ms Kelsey was sacked by the council but the CCC later charged the councillors with fraud, alleging they had acted out of retribution for Mr Smith.

The charges were dropped in April and Ms Kelsey lost her ­unfair dismissal case.

The review will consider the CCC’s decision to lay the charges, and correspondence between the CCC and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. More broadly, the committee will report on the CCC’s use of coercive powers and how information obtained through the use of those powers is shared in other proceedings.

Mr MacSporran has faced pressure to stand aside while the review takes place.

Local Government Association chief executive Greg Hallam said the association’s key concern was that the inquiry process be public and independent to ensure confidence.