The Mayor of Townsville made allegations today that a candidate for the CEO role has given gifts to a number of Councillors.
A preliminary investigation carried out by Council’s internal investigators has found no evidence to support the mayor’s claim.
Accordingly, it is the Council’s view that the Mayor’s allegations places the Council, the Mayor and any publishing media organisations at risk of defamation action. For the Council’s part, its ratepayers can ill afford to be drawn into defending such legal action. The further publication of these allegations will also damage the reputation of the City of Townsville as a whole.
The Council also takes this opportunity to remind the community that any person in possession of information that they reasonably suspect may involve corrupt conduct on the part of a councillor (or Council officer) should report that suspicion to the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC). Allegations of councillor misconduct or inappropriate conduct should be referred to the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA). These two bodies are the only appropriate channels for the reporting of such concerns.
