This Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) public inquiry investigated allegations that Gold Coast City Councillors had breached the Local Government Act 1993 by:
- misleading voters
- failing to disclose election gifts
- failing to declare material personal interests.
In the course of the Inquiry, the CMC sought public submissions on whether existing Queensland legislation sufficiently maintained the integrity of the local government electoral process.
The CMC made recommendations for improving the integrity and conduct of local government councils.
The public hearings were held over 27 days between 10 October 2005 and 15 December 2005, with final submissions on 7 February 2006.
Summary of inquiry, findings and recommendations
The inquiry set out to investigate any alleged official misconduct relating to:
- false or misleading statements of candidates for the Gold Coast City Council election in March 2004 with respect to details of any association with other candidates or entities
- electoral bribery with respect to the Gold Coast City Council election in March 2004
- returns about election gifts with respect to the Gold Coast City Council election in March 2004
- declaring and dealing with conflicts of interest or material personal interests since the Gold Coast City Council election in March 2004
- any criminal offence involving the performance of their functions since the Gold Coast City Council election in March 2004.
The inquiry was also required to examine the adequacy of existing legislation in relation to the conduct of local government elections and local government business, including provisions relating to:
- misleading voters
- electoral bribery
- returns about election gifts
- declaring and dealing with conflicts of interest and material personal interests by councillors.
Consultation: Discussion paper
Consultation: Submissions to our inquiry into the Gold Coast City Council election
Submissions from:
Greg Betts
Robert Bromwich
R J Burton
S A Carter
Ron Clarke
Dale Dickson
George Hannaford
Debra Henry
Brian Hurst
B J and H Lewis
Phillip Long
Darren Power
Roxanne Scott
Jan Smith
Ray Stevens
Paul Tully
Les Tyrell
Peter Young
Submissions from:
Local Government Association of Queensland
Logan City Council
Noosa Council
Pine Rivers Shire Council
Property Council of Australia (Qld)
Redcliffe City Council
Stanthorpe Shire Council
Urban Development Institute of Australia (Qld)
Closing submission from Counsel Assisting:
Gold Coast City Council - Response to Counsel Assisting's closing submission:
Cr Robert La Castra
Local Government Association of Queensland
Cr David Power
Cr Grant Pforr
Cr Ted Shepherd
Cr Greg Betts
Cr Peter Young
Mr Dale Dickson - 1
Mr Dale Dickson - 2
Mr Chris Morgan and Mr Tony Scott
Mayor Ron Clarke
Mr Tony Hickey
Mr Brian Rowe
