Extraordinary steps deny opportunity for justice

Extraordinary steps deny opportunity for justice

09 July 2018

Ipswich City councillors said today they were disappointed that Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has refused them an opportunity for justice.

“These are extraordinary steps taken by the minister to sidestep the Supreme Court,” acting mayor Wayne Wendt said.

“The minister has clearly shown that he is not prepared to defend his show cause action in court, and therefore has little respect for the legal system.”

Councillors said there were a number of reasons their show cause response would have held up in court:

There have been no allegations against 10 councillors currently in their role of duty;Council is operating a surplus budget, which the Queensland Audit Office rates highly;Since operating under an interim CEO, state government-endorsed Gary Kellar, more than 19 recommendations have been enacted which promote transparency and good governance;Core council operations – the building of roads, collection of rubbish, running of libraries, and many other services – are in full order and are being managed within one of the state’s biggest budgets;No allegations have yet been proven in court; andThe minister is relying on baseless claims from unreliable sources to provide information.

Cr Paul Tully, Ipswich’s longest serving councillor of 39 years, said there was no doubt administration would send the city backwards.

“Where is the opportunity for recourse?” he said. “Where is the opportunity to mediate an outcome which is best for this city?

“People of Ipswich will, under an administrator, have very little say. This is a sleight on democracy. It is a  sleight on the justice system – the very principles on which this great country was built.

“The minister is trying to bluff the people of Queensland into believing court action was a delay tactic by this council. This was to gain fair adjudication in a matter which clearly became more about politics than common sense.

“The minister was not prepared to defend his show cause notice, and now he sees himself as being above the law. This is a very sad day for Queensland.”

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