The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) is calling for an immediate review of failed prosecution cases launched by the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) against mayors and councillors following the findings of a government ordered inquiry into the Commission.
LGAQ CEO, Alison Smith said the dissection of the Commission’s failed 2019 prosecution of eight Logan councillors, the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee and, finally, by the Commission of Inquiry relating to the CCC, has laid bare the events that led to the wrongful charging of a number of elected members.
“The Logan matter is not the only failed prosecution launched by the CCC against elected members in recent history,” Ms Smith said.
“The Commission of Inquiry has recommended the CCC work with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to develop a process for conducting post‐prosecution reviews.
“We would urge this work to be undertaken as swiftly as possible.”
The LGAQ is also calling for the CCC and the DPP to prioritise the review of other failed cases launched against elected members, so that any other instances of potential miscarriage of justice can be identified, rectified and processes put in place to ensure mistakes are never repeated.
“Livelihoods and reputations can be irreversibly impacted by the decisions important institutions like the CCC make.”
“Queensland deserves a corruption watchdog we can all have faith in, and making sure failed cases are reviewed and any lessons learned are key to this,” said Ms Smith.
Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, has described the inquiry report’s recommendations as “very sensible” but wouldn’t be drawn on whether Logan City Council would receive an apology.
“No-one would like to see what happened to those particular councillors happen again,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“That report is very clear about a path forward … so we would probably not see the likes of that happening again. That would be my expectation.”
