Livingstone Mayor Andy Ireland cleared by OIA following conflict of interest complaint

The Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA) has moved quickly after Livingstone Mayor Andy Ireland was reported by Keppel MP Brittany Lauga.

Livingstone Shire Council Mayor Andy Ireland.

Queensland’s councillor watchdog has moved quickly to clear Livingstone Shire Mayor Andy Ireland of any wrongdoing following a conflict of interest complaint.

Last month Keppel MP Brittany Lauga referred Cr Ireland to the Office of the independent Assessor (OIA) after Livingstone Shire Council’s special meeting about Covid-19 restrictions.

Ms Lauga went to the OIA over her concerns about a potential conflict of interest but she would not disclose publicly further details about those concerns.

It was understood they centred around Mr Ireland’s business interests.

On Thursday, December 23, Livingstone Shire Council issued a statement which said the OIA had dismissed allegations of conflict of interest against Mayor Ireland.

“Allegations were made that, at a Special Council Meeting on 18 November 2021, Mayor Ireland failed to declare a conflict of interest when voting to support local business owners by writing to the Queensland Premier and asking for review of COVID-19 vaccination restrictions,” the council’s statement said.

“It was alleged that the mayor owned a hospitality business which should have precluded him from considering and voting on the matter.

“The OIA dismissed the complaint as the mayor had, in fact, raised at an earlier council meeting, the prospect of perception of conflict and asked for legal advice.

“The legal advice, provided to council and subsequently the OIA, confirmed that no such conflict existed.

“In arriving at its determination, the OIA suggested that the mayor had acted in good faith on the basis of the advice received.”

Originally published as Livingstone Mayor Andy Ireland cleared by OIA following conflict of interest complaint