Wujal Wujal council boss Kiley Hanslow’s contract terminated
The chief executive of a Cape York council who last year won a leadership award will not have her contract renewed while an investigation is held into allegedly inflated overtime claims.
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The chief executive of a Cape York council who last year won a leadership award will not have her contract renewed while an investigation is held into allegedly inflated overtime claims.
On July 2, Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council convened a special meeting to repeal a previous resolution regarding Kiley Hanslow’s employment contract.
A motion submitted by Mayor Alister Gibson recommended that the Cape York council advise Ms Hanslow that a new contract would not be offered until the outcome of an audit in “the overtime matter”.
A further motion advanced the termination of Ms Hanslow’s employment contract beyond October 16, 2025.
Both resolutions were carried unanimously.
The council resolved that the operations manager Perry Gould would stop signing the chief executive’s time sheets immediately and going forward the mayor or deputy mayor would sign the documents and a provision was made for signing electronic signatures in their absence.
The Office of Independent Assessor advised the Cairns Post the agency only deals with complaints made against elected councillors and investigations into council chief executives are run by the Corruption and Crime Commission.
A CCC spokeswoman recognised the important role the media plays in promoting transparency and accountability in government institutions.
She said the CCC also recognised the need to balance the public’s right to information with the need to protect the integrity of investigations.
“On this basis, the CCC does not confirm or comment on any complaint or investigation, referrals to other agencies or matters before the court,” she said.
In the wake of the catastrophic flood following the Cyclone Jasper rain event in December 2023, Ms Hanslow’s “unwavering commitment and dedication” to the Wujal Wujal community was recognised by the Australasian Women in Emergencies Network last year with an “outstanding” achievement award.
“Her leadership during the initial response and then the long journey of recovery serves as an inspiration to all, embodying the spirit of resilience, empathy, and innovation,” the award website states.
Ms Hanslow, when contacted by the Cairns Post on Friday, said she had been directed to not comment on her dismissal and the pending audit into the overtime claims.
The former Northern Territory Police business manager was hired as the Wujal Wujal chief executive in October 2022 in an appointment typically offered for a period of five years.
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Originally published as Wujal Wujal council boss Kiley Hanslow’s contract terminated
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