New step for investigation into Cairns Mayor Amy Eden’s CEO appointment

An investigation into a Far North mayor’s decision to hire her campaign adviser as acting CEO has taken a major step forward as councillors raise new concerns about a potential leak from within.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden and former interim chief executive John Andrejic at a Cairns Regional Council ordinary meeting in 2024. Picture: Brendan Radke

An investigation into a Far North mayor’s decision to hire her campaign adviser as acting CEO has taken a major step forward as councillors raise new concerns about a potential leak from within.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden chaired a panel that named John Andrejic as acting CEO in May last year, defying the recommendation of several councillors who argued that she had a conflict of interest.

During her 2024 mayoral run, Mr Andrejic provided Ms Eden with “high level strategic advice”.

He also served as a volunteer, hammering in corflutes across the region, distributing how-to-vote cards and even donating to Ms Eden’s personal campaign.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden and former adviser Gavin King, who took up a new role at the council earlier this year. Picture: Brian Cassey

The matter was referred to the Office of the Independent Assessor at the time, with multiple councillors finally questioned last month – more than a year after the issue was first raised.

When contacted, Ms Eden refused to answer whether she had been interviewed by the OIA, declaring that she had “nothing to add”.

She has consistently argued that she does not have a prescribed or declarable conflict of interest on the grounds that the pair do not have a close personal relationship.

That is despite the pair regularly meeting for lunch throughout much of 2023 and Ms Eden visiting Mr Andrejic’s home in Cardwell twice prior to the election.

The OIA refused to comment on the investigation but it is understood that questioning took place at the council’s Spence St administrative building earlier this month.

Interviews were conducted in the office next to Ms Eden’s third-floor workspace, previously occupied by the mayor’s former personal adviser, Gavin King.

A person familiar with the probe said there were clear guidelines set for councillors with declarable and prescribed conflicts of interest under Queensland’s Local Government Act (2009).

TUSSLE FOR TOP JOB

Last year, Division 1 councillor Brett Moller criticised the selection process at a special meeting prior to Mr Andrejic’s appointment.

“I suggest that there is a familiarity in the level of the relationship … that could give rise to the view that this is a close personal relationship,” Mr Moller said last May.

Cairns Regional Council Division 1 councillor Brett Moller questioned the CEO selection process publicly in May, 2024. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

The southside councillor also called into question a meeting between the mayor and Mr Andrejic just four days after last year’s election win where they discussed former CEO Mica Martin’s dismissal.

“Reportedly, John’s advice was to review Ms Martin’s contract and to seek the advice of the Director of People and Organisational Performance (Christine Posgate),” Mr Moller said.

“That advice was subsequently acted on.”

Ms Martin departed the council in April last year under “mutual agreement”.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden and chief executive Ken Gouldthorp at an ordinary meeting in February. Picture: Brendan Radke

Following Mr Andrejic’s probationary appointment, councillors voted to dissolve the CEO selection panel in August, with recruitment agency Davidson leading the process independently of Ms Eden.

Current chief executive Ken Gouldthorp subsequently beat the chartered accountant for the top job last October.

The council CEO position pays about $420,000 per year.

It’s not suggested that Mr Andrejic wasn’t qualified for the role.

Mr Andrejic didn’t respond to calls from the Cairns Post.

QUESTIONS RAISED

News of the mayor’s investigation isn’t the only source of concern within the council.

A mysterious social media user that has posted privileged and private information about councillors online this year has also raised questions.

During a meeting in June, a councillor raised the issue with Mr Gouldthorp and the council’s elected leaders present.

The councillor said they believed the account was fake.

In an email, Ms Eden confirmed that she was aware of the Facebook profile.

Ms Eden flew to Canberra to attend parliament on Monday.

Originally published as New step for investigation into Cairns Mayor Amy Eden’s CEO appointment