Jack Dempsey to reveal federal election donors in register of interest

Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey has denied any wrongdoing after it was revealed he had not updated his councillor register of interests with the details of donations made to his failed bid for federal election. Full details here.

Donations to the failed federal election campaign of Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey are still not detailed on his register of interest, an oversight that has been brought to the attention of the local government watchdog, the Office of the Independent Assessor.

A complaint to the OIA alleges Mr Dempsey failed to update his register of interests in relation to any election campaign donations within 30 days, as it required.

The register of interests is a public document local councillors and council advisors, CEOs and senior executives must fill out so that potential conflicts of interest can be identified.

The allegation that Mr Dempsey had not done that within 30 days of the election was part of a complaint made to the OIA on July 4, 2022.

Bundaberg Mayor and former federal candidate Jack Dempsey.

“The Mayor Jack Dempsey failed to update his register of interests in accordance with the Local Government Act 2009 201B, in that he has had donations for his Federal Government candidacy which would meet the threshold of gifts valued at or multiple gifts valued at over $500 which need to be disclosed as well as other sources of income valued at $500 or more in a year for which he will have had payments by the AEC made of up to approximately $39,000,” the original complaint read.

“I am personally aware of outstanding accounts which almost reach the threshold of over $10,000 and would have as at 21st June 2022 which have also not been declared.”

An online public extract of Mr Dempsey’s registered interests accessed by the NewsMail on July 20, 2022 shows the Mayor, whose full name is John Mark Dempsey, last updated his register of interests on November 23, 2021.

The notice decision letter from the OIA said it had written to Bundaberg Council CEO Steve Johnston to ensure Mr Dempsey updated the register.

“The Office of the Independent Assessor has written to the Chief Executive Officer of the Bundaberg Regional Council, Steve Johnston pursuant to regulation 296(2)(b) of the Local Government Regulation 2012 requesting that the mayor’s register of interest be amended within 30 days,” the OIA said in the notice decision letter.

“The OIA will further consider this matter after the mayor’s register of interest has either been amended or a statutory declaration is provided within the meaning of regulation 296(4).”

The NewsMail reached out to Mr Dempsey for his comment, but was instead provided with comment from acting CEO Gavin Steele.

“The Mayor denies any breach of electoral disclosure obligations and will be complying with all legislative requirements,” he said.

Originally published as Jack Dempsey to reveal federal election donors in register of interest