Moreton Bay Regional Council

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Couriermail --> Moreton Bay Mayor charged by CCC

MORETON Bay Mayor Allan Sutherland has been arrested and charged by the state's ­corruption watchdog.

The 63-year-old was arrested yesterday by the Crime and Corruption Commission and taken to the Fortitude Valley Police Station.

He was then charged with two counts of misconduct in relation to public office contrary to section 92A(1)(c) of the Queensland Criminal Code before he was bailed.

He is expected to front the Brisbane Magistrates on February 5 next year.

In a statement sent from his lawyer last night, Cr Sutherland said he intended to ­defend the charges fully.

"Given that these charges are now before the court, I am limited in what I can say," he said.

"What I can say though is that I have always acted honestly and in the best interests of the ratepayers of the Moreton Bay Region.

"I intend to defend these charges fully, and I am confident that my position will be vindicated when all of the evidence is available and considered," he said.

It is understood the charges will likely mean that Cr Sutherland will be automatically suspended as Moreton Bay Mayor under the law.

In a statement, the CCC said its investigation remained ongoing and it was unable to comment further as the matter was before the courts.

Cr Sutherland announced in August that he would retire at the March local government elections after spending 26 years in local government, including 16 as a mayor.

He was the former mayor of Redcliffe City Council and was elected mayor of Moreton Bay Regional Council in 2008 and re-elected in 2012 and March 2016.

Moreton Bay Regional Council was last night contacted for comment.

The CCC on September 2 stated that it was investigating Moreton Bay Regional ­Council over a number of ­allegations.

It said one of those related to Cr Sutherland.

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Brisbanetimes --> Corruption watchdog lays fresh public office misconduct charges

Queensland's corruption watchdog has laid charges against Moreton Bay Regional Council mayor Allan Sutherland for misconduct in public office.

The Crime and Corruption Commission released a short statement late Wednesday, revealing they had arrested a "63-year-old man from Newport".

He was taken to Fortitude Valley Police station Wednesday afternoon and formally charged with "two counts of misconduct in relation to public office contrary to section 92A(1)(c) of the Queensland Criminal Code".

Under the code this refers to a public officer who, with intent to dishonestly gain benefit for themselves, or either benefit or disadvantage another, does an act or makes an omission in abuse of the authority of office.

The man was bailed and was expected to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on February 5, 2020.

"As the CCC's investigation remains ongoing and this matter is now before the court, the CCC is unable to comment further," the statement said.

But on Wednesday night News Corp reported a statement from Cr Sutherland in which he said he had always acted honestly and intended to defend the charges "fully".

"Given that these charges are now before the court, I am limited in what I can say."

"What I can say, though, is that I have always acted honestly and in the best interests of the ratepayers of the Moreton Bay Region.

"I intend to defend these charges fully, and I am confident that my position will be vindicated when all of the evidence is available and considered."

Cr Sutherland was contacted for comment.

He announced in August he would not contest upcoming the council elections in March.

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Couriermail --> Moreton Bay Mayor Allan Sutherland charged by CCC

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland has been automatically suspended from his job after he was last night charged by the state's corruption watchdog. He says he intends to defend the charges.

MORETON Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland has been automatically suspended from his job after he was last night charged by the state's corruption watchdog.

Deputy Mayor Mike Charlton will be appointed acting mayor until the local government elections in March.

In a statement, Cr Charlton insisted the council would continue to function as normal.

"Following the suspension of Mayor Allan Sutherland, I have met with the Acting CEO to discuss Council's operations moving forward," he said.

"The Acting CEO has advised that no staff are to communicate with Cr Sutherland, or with any other person acting on his behalf, in connection with any matters of official Council business.

"In relation to the charges against Cr Sutherland, it is inappropriate to provide comment as the matter is before the courts."

It comes after Cr Sutherland was yesterday charged by the Crime and Corruption Commission with two counts of misconduct in relation to public office contrary to section 92A (1)(c) of the Queensland Criminal Code.

In a statement sent from his lawyer, Cr Sutherland said he intended to defend the charges fully.

"Given that these charges are now before the court, I am limited in what I can say," he said on Wednesday night.

"What I can say though is that I have always acted honestly and in the best interests of the ratepayers of the Moreton Bay Region.

"I intend to defend these charges fully, and I am confident that my position will be vindicated when all of the evidence is available and considered."

Under the law, councillors and mayors who are charged with certain offences are automatically suspended from their job.

Cr Sutherland is expected to front Brisbane Magistrate's Court on February 5 next year.

In a statement last night, the CCC said its investigation remained ongoing and it was unable to comment further as the matter was before the courts.

Cr Sutherland announced in August that he would retire at the March local government elections after spending 26 years in local government, including 16 as a mayor.

He was the former mayor of Redcliffe City Council and was elected mayor of Moreton Bay Regional Council in 2008 and re-elected in 2012 and March 2016.

The CCC on September 2 stated that it was investigating Moreton Bay Regional ­Council over a number of ­allegations.

It said one of those related to Cr Sutherland.

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Couriermail Quest --> Six Moreton Bay councillors named in ongoing investigations by the Office of the Independent Assessor

SIX Moreton Bay councillors have been named in several ongoing investigations by the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA).

A letter from the OIA to a resident, dated February 24 2020, stated there were active investigations involving councillors Allan Sutherland, Peter Flannery, Mike Charlton, James Houghton, Julie Greer and Koliana Winchester.

However, it is important to note that these are investigations only and could be dismissed.

The OIA investigates claims of misconduct or inappropriate conduct by councillors, whereas the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) investigates corruption allegations.

When contacted about the letter by Pine Rivers Press, Independent Assessor Kathleen Florian said: "Consistent with our media policy, the OIA does not confirm or deny whether a councillor is under investigation unless the matter is already in the public arena".

Cr Sutherland, who is currently suspended facing separate criminal misconduct charges brought by the CCC, is mentioned in the OIA letter in relation to "use of the MFT (Moreton Futures Trust) account during the 2016 election campaign".

Cr Sutherland is also being investigated in another OIA matter over "his involvement with both MFT and Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism (MBRIT)".

This matter became an active investigation after the CCC referred information to the OIA from its own prior investigation, which was closed on February 7.

The CCC investigation related to the renewal of a Service Level Agreement between the council and MBRIT.

It also investigated whether some councillors, including the mayor, did not disclose and manage conflicts of interests associated with MBRIT.

The CCC did not find sufficient evidence to prosecute any councillor or staff member and the investigation was closed.

The letter also stated that an ongoing investigation involving Crs Flannery, Charlton, Houghton, Greer and Winchester was regarding the June 21, 2016 meeting involving the Petrie Mill Development Area.

Both matters involving Cr Sutherland are with the OIA's legal team for consideration.

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Sunshine Coast News --> 'An agent of change for our organisation': council CEO resigns to take up new role

The chief executive of Noosa Council has announced his resignation after 14 months in the role, to become the CEO at Australia's third largest council.

Scott Waters – who commenced the role in February last year – is leaving Noosa to lead the Moreton Bay Regional Council.

"I am proud of what we've achieved," Mr Waters said. "The first phase of Noosa 2.0 is in place – we have a new corporate plan, our structure realignment is being finalised, a refreshed council brand about to roll out and a leadership program based on renewed organisational values is underway. ...