Ipswich City Council

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Ipswich mayor Andrew Antoniolli charged with fraud

Ipswich mayor Andrew Antoniolli, who last year replaced embattled former mayor Paul Pisasale, has himself been charged with fraud.

The Crime and Corruption Commission charged Cr Antoniolli, 47, with seven counts of fraud. The mayor has vowed to fight the charges but refused to stand down.

Queensland's corruption watchdog will allege the charges stem from the use of council funds.

"The CCC will allege the man utilised Ipswich City Council funds for his own use to purchase auction items from charitable organisations between 26 October 2011 and 20 May 2017," the CCC said in a statement.

In a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, Cr Antoniolli said it was "with much disappointment and frustration" that he confirmed the charges laid against him.

"Let me be clear – I have never been involved in corrupt or criminal activity and I intend to fight these charges," he said.

"These charges will not define me."

Cr Antoniolli said he stood in last year's mayoral byelection on a "platform of accountability and transparency" and said he would not stand down.

"I promised to lift the veil of secrecy and to review our policies and procedures to increase transparency, and while there is more work to be done, we have made incredible inroads in regards to significant culture and governance reform," he said.

"I have a wonderful executive team, professional staff serving the community, and a loving family.

"I have served our city and its people for 18 years, 28 years if you include my time as police officer and I do not intend to step down any time soon."

LNP leader Deb Frecklington called for the government to appoint an administrator immediately to take control at Ipswich City Council.

"The minister needs to grow a backbone," she said.

Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said he would seek legal advice on Wednesday night about his powers in the Ipswich situation, and about wider reform.

Mr Hinchliffe said he was "shocked and dismayed" by the fact Ipswich City Council was again facing serious allegations in relation to its leadership.

He did not answer questions on whether administrators could be brought in to Ipswich council but would provide further information on Thursday.

Local Government Association of Queensland president Greg Hallam said he hoped it would not come to that.

"I think it is premature to think that through," he said.

"That would be wrong to jump in on that."

Bundamba Labor MP Jo-Ann Miller said her party had a lot to answer for, as several Ipswich councillors were members of the ALP.

Ms Miller, who has been a particularly outspoken member of the government since losing her spot in cabinet as police minister in 2015, said the people of Ipswich were "absolutely stunned".

"The people of Ipswich put their trust in these people and now it's all crashed down," she said.

"The people are saying to me that serious action must take place now."

Mr Hallam said he was "just stunned and shocked" to hear of the charges against Cr Antoniolli.

"Mate, there aren't words to describe how I feel," he said.

"He is entitled to the presumption of innocence and he will have his day in court."

Mr Hallam said the charges against Cr Antoniolli would affect Ipswich residents.

"I absolutely feel for the people of Ipswich," Mr Hallam said.

"These are extraordinary times."

Mr Pisasale resigned last year and has been charged with official corruption.

Cr Antoniolli was bailed and is expected to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on May 16.

The charges against the mayor came as the CCC also charged former Ipswich City Council employee Craig Maudsley, 54, with one charge of misconduct in public office.

The fresh charge comes on the same day Mr Maudsley appeared in the Roma Street Arrest Court for another misconduct in a public office charge.

The matter was adjourned until May 28, with Mr Maudsley accused of making an omission in abuse of the authority of office.

He resigned from public office in January and now faces a total of three misconduct charges.

Key developments

    June 6, 2017: Paul Pisasale resigns as Ipswich mayor.
    June 20, 2017: Paul Pisasale charged by the Crime and Corruption Commission. Further charges follow.
    August 20, 2017: Andrew Antoniolli wins Ipswich election to become the city's new mayor.
    May 2, 2018: Andrew Antoniolli charged with seven counts of fraud by the Crime and Corruption Commission.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/991585654873051136

[ozbob]

Enough.  As an ICC Ratepayer and resident, I think it is time to sack the entire council and bring in the administers.

Locals are stunned ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/RMorrison9/status/991573449444225024

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/tegangeorge/status/991573538808123392

[verbatim9]

It's crazy right !?

Maybe an administrator is the right way forward? (3months)? 24 months until the next Council elections?

[red dragin]

What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty?

[ozbob]

What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty?

It is not just this latest.  Whole series of issues.  I would be suprised if the ICC survives this time.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/991717405926637568

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> BREAKING: Minister moves to sack Ipswich City Council

THE Local Government Minister will begin the process to dissolve the entire Ipswich City Council.

Seven fraud charges laid against mayor Andrew Antoniolli yesterday were the final straw, with Minister Stirling Hinchliffe electing to dismiss the council.

Mr Hinchliffe has told parliament he would start the process to remove all elected councillors.

The bombshell revelation comes one hour after Cr Antoniolli announced he would stand down, despite defiantly declaring yesterday he had no intention "to step down any time soon".

The resignation was not enough, with Mr Hinchliffe telling the Queensland Parliament enough was enough.

"The Ipswich City Council can no longer function effectively," he said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said people of Ipswich voiced their concerns at her recent governing from the regions event.

"The work leading to this day has been underway for some time," she said.

"The people of Ipswich come first."

Several councillors who entered the council chamber this morning for crisis talks were concerned Mr Hinchliffe would take the extreme action.

Mr Hinchliffe will recommend the council be sacked to Queensland Governor Paul de Jersey, a formality he is expected to approve.

Earlier this year Mr Hinchliffe used his power to remove Fraser Coast Mayor Chris Loft.

Mr Loft has challenged the decision in the Supreme Court.

"The people of Ipswich come first," she said. 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/JoshBavas/status/991831939588866049

[#Metro]

My bets are on Peter Beattie being parachuted in as administrator.

[verbatim9]

My bets are on Peter Beattie being parachuted in as administrator.

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Tully calls 'poor end' to his 39-year career in council

QUEENSLAND'S longest-serving councillor has demanded the State Government take the same action to dissolve the Logan City Council as it has done in Ipswich.

Division 2 Councillor Paul Tully, who is in Perth for a conference, was alerted this morning he and other councillors would be dismissed.

"It's a poor way to end a 39-year career in local government via an SMS message," he said.

A colleague texted Cr Tully the news the council would be sacked.

With an administrator likely to be appointed, Cr Tully said the council should "use every legal avenue to fight this".

"The place will be run entirely by bureaucrats. The officers will be in control of council," he said.

"The public will no longer have a say through their elected councillors."

Cr Tully was narrowly defeated by Andrew Antoniolli at last year's mayoral by-election.

Cr Tully questioned why Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe had "singled out" the Ipswich City Council.

"Only one councillor in Ipswich is facing charges, the same as Logan City," he said.

"The government should sack the Logan City Council for the same reason they're planning to dissolve the Ipswich City Council."

Cr Tully was first elected on March 31, 1979, as the youngest councillor of the Ipswich City Council since its proclamation in 1860, and is the longest-serving councillor in the city's history.

Cr Tully was re-elected in 2016 in Division 2 with 82.5 per cent of the vote, having successfully contested 12 consecutive elections.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/HelenSpelitis/status/991842892229443584

[verbatim9]

My bets are on Peter Beattie being parachuted in as administrator.

Remember that Peter Beattie has taken the NRL position and is relocating to Sydney. They will choose someone else neutral no doubt,.to keep the peace with the LNP.

[achiruel]

ozbob for Mayor! 

[ozbob]

ozbob for Mayor! 

  Buz the 524 !   

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/991887177737846790

[Stillwater]

Why be Mayor, when you can be a one-person Administrator?  A benign dictator.  Ozbob for Administrator!   

[ozbob]

Why be Mayor, when you can be a one-person Administrator?  A benign dictator.  Ozbob for Administrator!   

Well in that case we can Buz the 522 too!   

[Cazza]

BUZ the 529 and you have my vote 

[red dragin]

I dunno, with Bob as mayor we'd probably end up with broad gauge from Springfield into Ipswich, just so he can watch an R-Class go by whenever he likes 

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2018/2018_05_03_DAILY.pdf

Queensland Parliament

Ministerial Statements

Ipswich City Council

Hon. A PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Premier and Minister for Trade) (9.32 am): The people of
Ipswich have lost confidence in their city council. There are too many charges levelled at too many
officials for anyone to have confidence in the management of Ipswich City Council. The people of
Ipswich come first. In a moment the local government minister will detail actions we are initiating
immediately to begin restoring people's faith not just in Ipswich but also in local government
everywhere.

Only recently we governed from Ipswich for a week. People came to me with their concerns.
They were worried about becoming Australia's dump. We acted with the waste levy. They came to us
with their concerns—

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order, members. The Premier is not being provocative.

Ms PALASZCZUK: They came to us with their concerns about their local council. We are acting
on those concerns.

The work leading us to this day has been underway for some time. Governing is not about being
rash; it is about being considered and responsible and taking the right action at the right time. That time
is now. Enough is enough. This will stop. I am stopping it. The people of Ipswich deserve better. The
Minister for Local Government will now detail the actions that he will take under the act.
Ipswich City Council


Ipswich City Council

Hon. SJ HINCHLIFFE (Sandgate—ALP) (Minister for Local Government, Minister for Racing and
Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (9.34 am): <When a community loses faith in its elected leaders, as is
>the case in Ipswich, it is time to act. The situation we see in Ipswich today is of the gravest concern.
The people of Ipswich are shocked by what has happened. Some are angry. Many are outraged. Others
are, quite frankly, appalled at what they perceive as the repeated breaches of trust from their elected
representatives. The Ipswich community is reeling.

Twelve people, including two mayors and two CEOs, are facing a total of 66 charges. The current
Ipswich mayor is facing seven charges of fraud as a result of CCC investigations. Frankly, the eyes of
the Ipswich City Council have been off the ball. The impacts we have already seen are devastating on
the morale of council staff, including on the personal wellbeing of individuals; on council's ability to
deliver good policy outcomes; and on the Ipswich community as a whole.

Based on urgent legal advice, the government will now commence the process of appointing an
administrator at the Ipswich City Council, as provided by the Local Government Act. The government
has not taken this decision lightly; however, I have reached the conclusion that the Ipswich City Council
can no longer function effectively. I acknowledge the support of the Leader of the Opposition and the
CEO of the LGAQ for this course of action.

Today I will ask Ipswich City Council to show cause why they should not be dismissed. Next
week I will be asking cabinet to consider strengthening the legislative powers of the local government
minister to dismiss councils when they have lost the trust of their community. I appreciate that this
course of action will impact councillors who were only recently elected; however, I believe this course
of action is necessary to restore public confidence in the Ipswich City Council.

[ozbob]

BUZ the 529 and you have my vote 

Consider it done!    529 

[ozbob]

I dunno, with Bob as mayor we'd probably end up with broad gauge from Springfield into Ipswich, just so he can watch an R-Class go by whenever he likes 

It is either that or trams up Queen St Goodna!   

[achiruel]

I dunno, with Bob as mayor we'd probably end up with broad gauge from Springfield into Ipswich, just so he can watch an R-Class go by whenever he likes 

I don't think railways are really within the responsibilities of LGAs. 

But if we're on a BUZzing spree (not that we really can be, 'cause of how BCC have trademarked it) I'd like to vote for 534 and 512 please!  And maybe 500 as well.

[ozbob]

We will BUZ the entire Western Region !! 

Meanwhile Ippy is becoming famous ( or is that infamous ) ..   

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/991946645637156865

[ozbob]

 

https://twitter.com/SarahLVogler/status/991941787798257666

[achiruel]

Hmmm...not really surely than another ALP member as Ippy mayor is such a great idea. Maybe time for an independent to have a go?

[ozbob]

Jo-Ann is not really serious.  Very good local member ( my local member ) and will remain so.

Meanwhile ..

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/991952789294075904

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/991952315379666944

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> LGAQ warns of 'witch-hunt' as Ipswich City Council mounts its defence

Ipswich's third mayor in 12 months has mounted a defence of his city's elected representatives as the state government threatens to dismiss the entire council.

It comes as the head of the lobby group for Queensland councils says four current and former mayors of various Queensland councils being charged with criminal offences represents only "a top of a pinhead" and a wider inquiry into corruption in local government in the state would be a distracting "witch-hunt".

Ipswich mayor Andrew Antoniolli was charged with seven counts of fraud by the Crime and Corruption Commission on Wednesday, bringing to 12 people, including two mayors and two CEOs, facing a total of 66 charges.

Cr Antoniolli said he would stand down minutes before Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe announced he would start the process of appointing an administrator at the Ipswich council and ask councillors to show cause as to why they should not be sacked.

The former mayor also quit the Labor Party, hours before his possible expulsion was set to be decided.

It came less than a year after former mayor Paul Pisasale quit, citing poor health, before he was charged with official corruption, among other offences, by the CCC.

Acting mayor Wayne Wendt said the council would be able to prove to the state government the city's sitting councillors were capable of representing the city.

"We intend to show – with the utmost of integrity – why that should not happen," he said.

Cr Wendt said the council had introduced "more than 20 policies and procedures" for more transparent governance in the past 12 months, a period that has seen 12 people – including two mayors and two CEOs – facing a total of 66 criminal charges.

"It must be stressed that nobody has yet been found guilty of anything," Cr Wendt said.

"It is our understanding that many of the charges relate to paperwork and record-keeping, and many of those allegations are in relation to money given to charity."

Cr Wendt questioned whether a decision to appoint an administrator was a cost-saving exercise.

"We must be very careful – for the sake of democracy – that representation of the people is not taken away as a measure to justify the expense of a very long investigation," he said.

Queensland's longest-serving councillor, Paul Tully, is one of the councillors now facing the sack.

"Ratepayers will lose their voice if an administrator is appointed ... It's my intention that we respond vigorously. Only the mayors have been alleged to have done the wrong thing, not the councillors,'' Cr Tully, who has been a councillor since 1979, told The Australian.

One vocal supporter of an administrator was local Labor MP Jo-Ann Miller.

"I hope they clean it up and clean it out," the member for Bundamba said.

"I'd like them to establish an ethical standards unit and conduct a forensic audit to know where the money is and where it's gone, especially with the council-owned companies.

"Those books should be opened."

A spokesman for the CCC said: "The possible decision to appoint an administrator is a matter for the State Government and we would not expect this to affect our investigation."
LGAQ warns of a 'witch-hunt'

Greg Hallam, chief executive of the Local Government Association of Queensland, a private corporation funded by the state's 77 councils, said it was an "extraordinary day" as the state government began proceedings to sack Ipswich City Council.

Mr Hallam pointed out that only two non-Indigenous councils had been sacked in Queensland in the last 40 years: Gold Coast City Council in the 1970s and Johnstone Shire Council in 2007.

But Mr Hallam said no-one had yet been convicted and there was no evidence of a widespread culture of corruption in local government.

The charges against Cr Antoniolli follow a raft of charges against his predecessor, Paul Pisasale, as well as Logan mayor Luke Smith, former Fraser Coast mayor Chris Loft and a string of other people in related investigations.

"We are talking about a top of a pinhead here," he said.

"We are talking about 0.6 per cent (sic)* and it's regrettable, we wished this wouldn't have happened, it's reality, we need to work hard to improve the system, but this is a very small percentage."

Mr Hallam was a vocal supporter in media of Mr Pisasale and Mr Smith when details emerged of investigations into their fundraising and other activities.

Earlier this year, he criticised the CCC for carrying out raids at Logan City Council offices that preceded Mr Smith being charged and the LGAQ reportedly referred Cr Smith's treatment by the CCC to the secretive Parliamentary committee that oversees the crime-fighting body.

However, asked whether he now regretted these expressions of support, Mr Hallam denied he had made them.

"Actually, I really haven't come out and defended any of those people individually, go and check the record," he said.

A broader inquiry into other councils would just be an unnecessary distraction, Mr Hallam said.

"I don't think that serves any purpose unless there are specific matters in question," he said.

"Unless the CCC or any other proper authority have concrete matters, then these are witch-hunts and all we will do is sidetrack local government for the next two years and make it very difficult for them to do their jobs.

"If we're in a constant situation where we're under scrutiny, councils aren't able to do their jobs, there are investigators in and out of those councils, it makes it very difficult to run a council."
Government should have acted earlier: Opposition

LNP leader Deb Frecklington said the Queensland government should have taken action sooner, based on complaints raised by Ms Miller and others, and any mayor charged with corruption should stand aside.

Ms Frecklington said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk needed to explain why she had not acted on allegations earlier.

"The Premier should actually act when she is given the information, not just when the general public start creating a big issue about it," she said.

"The Premier waited until the second Labor mayor from Ipswich was in the watchhouse before she acted."

No government MPs faced journalists to answer questions on Thursday, as developments emerged about the potential for the entire Ipswich council to be dismissed and contentious land clearing laws were debated.

Earlier, Ms Miller said she had made complaints about the Ipswich council in Parliament, to the government and the CCC for more than 14 years.

But Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said if people had complaints, they should be made to the appropriate authorities.

"Anyone can get up and say whatever they like but if they don't have evidence, Mr Speaker, then they are hollow words," she told Parliament.

Ms Palaszczuk said in Parliament that her government acted swiftly after charges were laid.

The Logan mayor, Cr Smith, has been charged with official corruption, perjury and failing to correct his register of interests.

Cr Smith, who ran as an LNP candidate for the federal seat of Rankin in 2010, said he would be vigorously defending the charges and would not stand down. But Ms Frecklington said the situations in Logan and Ipswich were not directly comparable.

"We've got an Ipswich City Council that has up to 12 people associated, either with the Queensland Labor Party, or with the Ipswich Labor council, that have been charged because of alleged corruption," she said.

"I mean, the whole thing stinks."

Mr Hinchliffe will next week ask cabinet to consider strengthening powers for the minister to dismiss councils.

Mr Pisasale, who quit as mayor in June 2017 citing ill health, has been charged with official corruption, misconduct in public office, perjury, perverting the course of justice, fraud and assault.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/992076319348277248

Well there is a lot to cover up I guess ...  and if you think ICC is a lone ranger, then think again.

I reckon if there are any more ' charges ' announced in the new few weeks then it is good night Nurse!

[James]

Ozbob for Mayor! At least then Ipswich will have the best PT network in SEQ 

[ozbob]

Ozbob for Mayor! At least then Ipswich will have the best PT network in SEQ 

   

Just between you and I James.  I am thinking 3'6" gauge tram-trains.  We could run them out on the Ippy and then up Queen St to Redbank Town Square.   

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Inside the chamber: Councillors stunned by news of dismissal 

NINE councillors were in crisis talks at the Ipswich City Council's administration building as the State Government prepared to take the ultimate action.

With the exception of Andrew Antoniolli and Division 2 Councillor Paul Tully, councillors entered the chambers early this morning to discuss their next move.

Councillors Cheryl Bromage and David Pahlke called for the mayor to step aside while Charlie Pisasale, brother of Paul, said Cr Antoniolli had his support.

As the meeting began they were advised Cr Antoniolli would stand aside and hand the duties of mayor to deputy Wayne Wendt.

Within an hour, in the halls of the Queensland Parliament, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced her government would take action on the council.

Stirling Hinchliffe, the Local Government Minister who sacked the Fraser Coast mayor earlier this year, said he would start the process to appoint an administrator to the City of Ipswich.

"I will ask Ipswich City Council to show cause why they should not be dismissed," he said.

Watching a TV inside the administration offices, councillors and senior officers were "left stunned" by Mr Hinchliffe's statement.

By this afternoon Cr Antoniolli had disabled his mayoral Facebook account and the majority of councillors remained silent.

Division 1 Councillor David Morrison took to Facebook to publicly reflect on the looming dismissal.

"I can look anyone in the eye and say it has been my pleasure and privilege to serve Ipswich City and in particular Division One where I grew up and raised my family," he said.

Cr Morrison, who has sat on the council for 18 years, said he has "never asked for or received any donation from any developer or businesses".

"I have served with councillors who work tirelessly for our great city and approximately 1200 wonderful dedicated staff who give so much of themselves to Ipswich City," he said.

"I have worked with so many selfless people and community groups in Ipswich who inspire me."

Rural councillor David Pahlke watched on as his 28 years in Local Government seemed to evaporate.

Cr Pahlke said he received overwhelming support from his Division 10 and said; "my head can be held high."

"I don't think my integrity or dealings have been questioned at all," he said.

"There are good working councillors in this group and we are being punished."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/SarahLVogler/status/992224802810220544

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> More charges to come for Ipswich City Council

Ipswich City Council's crisis is set to deepen further after Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission revealed more charges will be laid from their long- running investigations into the council.

Councillors have 21 days to show cause to the state government why they should not be dismissed after the CCC this week charged their second mayor in less than 12 months.

CCC chairman Alan MacSporran said on Friday the investigation was winding up but more offences had been uncovered.

"I think you can expect more charges," he told reporters.

"I can tell the public that the investigation, which has gone on for some considerable time, is nearing its completion in so far as the investigation into corrupt conduct goes."

Mr MacSporran would not specify which, if any, councillors were being probed for corruption nor give an indication on the timing of fresh charges.

Andrew Antoniolli, who replaced Paul Pisasale as mayor in August, has stepped down after being charged with seven counts of fraud on Wednesday.

They are among 12 people facing a total of 66 charges stemming from the CCC's probe into the Labor-affiliated council.

Councillors have objected to the show-case notices and vowed to fight to stay in power rather than being placed into administration.

Mr MacSporran backed Local Government Minister Sterling Hinchcliffe's move to strengthen his legislative powers to dismiss councils when they lose the trust of communities.

"Frankly, the powers the minister currently has, which are to dissolve a council or take that sort of action only in circumstances where the council has failed to be able to function efficiently, leaves a gap in the governance process," he said.

"Where you have ... a significant number of senior employees and elected officials are charged or under investigation, it is very hard for the public, the ratepayers ... to have confidence in the system of local government.

"That is a very serious position to reach."

Meanwhile, rogue Labor MP Jo-Ann Miller has left the door ajar to leaving parliament and becoming Ipswich mayor after criticising her party for ignoring repeated warnings about corrupt practices at the council.

The city's Ratepayers and Residents Association, which claims to have around 100 paid members, believes Miller would have significant support.

"I cannot think of any politician from any level of government who's done more or is doing more for Ipswich than she has in the past year or two," spokesman Jim Dodrill told AAP.

"She's gone against the wishes of the ALP and she's done that at great risk to herself and her political future because she thought the people of Ipswich come first."

Mr Dodrill said the state government needed to dissolve the council due to it's "culture of corruption and misconduct".

Acting mayor Wayne Wendt believes the council should remain in place and downplayed some of the allegations against Mr Antoniolli as paperwork and record-keeping errors.