Queensland’s Office of Fair Trading is investigating a charity controlled by Ipswich Councillor Paul Tully

Queensland’s Office of Fair Trading is investigating a charity controlled by Ipswich Councillor Paul Tully that has sat for five years close to $200,000 meant to assist locals impacted by tragedy or emergencies.

Councillor Paul Tully.

Queensland’s Office of Fair Trading is investigating a charity controlled by Ipswich Councillor Paul Tully.

The Ipswich Community Charity Fund Inc has sat for five years on close to $200,000 dollars meant for distribution to assist locals impacted by tragedy or emergencies.

Ipswich Mayor Theresa Harding said the dormant $195,950 in community donations could have “such an impact” on disaster affected residents.

“My personal opinion is that this money should be given to the Salvation Army in Ipswich, or we have five great rotary clubs here in Ipswich who are helping flood victims every single day,” she said.

Colleges Crossing after the flood in 2011. Photo: Rob Williams / The Queensland Times

“Or donate the money to Givit and make sure it only goes to Ipswich flood victims.”

The state’s regulator of charities, The Queensland Office of Fair Trading (QOFT) issued a show cause notice to the fund late last year over its failure to submit financial documents.

A QOFT spokesman confirmed that a fair trading’s investigation regarding the Ipswich Community Charity Funds operational status and disbursement of assets was ongoing on Friday.

The charity, established in 2005 and whose director is Councillor Paul Murray, last made a donation in 2018, and is now holding with close to $200,000 dollars earning $1096 in interest annually.

Ipswich Mayor Theresa Harding. Picture: supplied

“I guess it raises the question, why hasn't it been distributed? What’s it just doing seeing the bank account?” Ms Harding said.

Mr Tully had not responded to media inquiries about the investigation but told a local news outlet seven months ago that it was anticipated that the fund would be wound up within three months.

The separate federal overseer, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission confirmed with media that the funds’ past two years of documentation had not been submitted, and that any charity that fails to do so risks losing its status.

Former mayor Paul Pisasale previously presided over three separate community and charitable funds, including the Ipswich Community Charity Fund Inc, the City of Ipswich Community Fund Ltd and Ipswich Carols by Candlelight Fund Inc.

Former Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

An Ipswich council spokesman told The Queensland Times in 2021 all three funds are still in existence but are not controlled entities of the council.

“At present, neither council nor council officers have any direct ability to take action to wind up the funds,” they said.

“We understand that the winding up of the funds can only be actioned by the members of the funds.

“In relation to the Ipswich Carols by Candlelight Fund Inc, no councillor or officer is a member of this fund to our knowledge.

“In relation to the other two funds, we understand councillor Tully has a role.

“It is council’s understanding that Cr Paul Tully is the president of the Ipswich Community Charity Fund.

“Officers of the council organisation have provided some administrative support to councillor Tully.

“Council officers have no ability to operate bank accounts or authorisation to access records for these funds.”

Cr Tully was Queensland’s longest-serving councillor with 39 years under his belt when he was sacked alongside his colleagues by the State Government in 2018.

He was returned to office in 2020’s Division 2 election.

Originally published as Queensland’s Office of Fair Trading is investigating a charity controlled by Ipswich Councillor Paul Tully