Four mayors suspended after Queensland introduces new anti-corruption laws

Five local councillors have been suspended by the Queensland government after the introduction of new anti-corruption laws.

Hinchliffe’s laws include automatic suspensions for councillors. Picture: AAP

Five local councillors – including four mayors – have been suspended by the Queensland government following the introduction of new laws cracking down on alleged corruption in local government.

The five have been suspended on full pay amid political fallout over allegedly rampant corruption at Ipswich City Council which has seen 15 people – including two mayors – charged by the state corruption watchdog.

The laws were introduced following Liberal National Party attacks over the Palaszczuk government being slow to respond to alleged corruption at Ipswich, a traditional Labor stronghold.

The laws circumvent the tradition of councillors being treated as innocent until proven guilty, suspending the five from office despite their matters still being before the courts.

Ipswich mayor Andrew Antoniolli, who was elected in a by-election in August after former mayor Paul Pisasale’s resignation, stood aside as mayor last month after he was charged with seven counts of fraud by the CCC.

The corruption watchdog alleged Mr Antoniolli used council funds to purchase sporting memorabilia and other items for his own use.

Logan Mayor Luke Smith has been charged with corruption, perjury and failing to correct his register of interests.

He was charged on April 17 after a year-long CCC investigation.

Division 6 Logan councillor Stacey McIntosh was charged with fraud after she was elected in March 2016 but the offences were allegedly committed prior to her joining the council.

Queensland Police Service’s Fraud and Cyber Crime Group alleged that while she was working for Coopers Plains-based Fortuna Engineering Works Ms McIntosh stole $184,000 from her employer.

She initially stepped aside from the role but later returned, despite Mr Smith asking her to resign.

Edric Walden, the mayor of Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council, in the state’s northwest, was suspended over two charges of forging a document and one of misconduct in public office.

Greg McLean, the mayor of Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council, on Cape York, was also suspended over a charge of fraud, specifically dishonestly causing detriment of more than $30,000.

In a statement, Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said: “The mayors and councillor are suspended on full pay. They cannot appeal the suspensions.

“This action does not reflect on the outcome of the charges which will be dealt with by the courts.”

Mr Hinchliffe said he’d written to all of the state’s councillors asking them to voluntarily declare any charges that might be triggered by the new law, which entered into force last night.

“These are very new laws, and I will need to carefully consider whether to exercise any of my new powers, based on the facts of each case,” he said.

Mr Hinchliffe’s laws include automatic suspensions for councillors and mayors charged with serious integrity offences and giving the state government power to suspend a council, councillor or mayor in the public interest.

Mr Hinchliffe has served Ipswich with a notice to “show cause” as to why they should not be sacked and replaced by unelected technocrats pending a full investigation and, ultimately, fresh elections.