September 11, 2020
Seven new casual members have joined the Councillor Conduct Tribunal, the independent body charged with handling complaints of misconduct by councillors.
The addition of Bronwyn Springer, Carolyn Ashcroft, Gabriel Bednarek, Russell Faulkner, Troy Newman, Clare O’Connor and Oliver Simon means there are now 13 casual members supporting CCT president June Anstee.
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the new members brought with them diverse professional experience.
“The Councillor Conduct Tribunal plays a vital role in ensuring local government representatives are held to the high standards expected of them by Queensland communities,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“These new members include a retired Magistrate, practising barristers, a Police Prosecutor and former Local Government CEOs.
“There is no doubt the Tribunal will be strengthened even further by each of these appointments.
“A stronger CCT will go a long way to increase the integrity and accountability of the Local Government sector, and above all, improve the community’s confidence in their elected officials.”
The new members join existing casual Tribunal members Avelina Tarrago, Jane Bishop, Jane Stuckey, Brendan Walker-Munro, Peter Black and Sally Robb.
* * *
- Bronwyn Springer – casual member. Ms Springer is a retired Magistrate and sits from time to time as an Acting Magistrate. She is also a former member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal and the Guardianship and Administration Tribunal, has worked at the Criminal Justice Commission and was the Deputy Public Interest Monitor.
- Russell Faulkner – casual member. Mr Faulkner is a former Council CEO with 34 years’ experience in the Local Government sector. Mr Faulkner recently obtained legal qualifications.
- Carolyn Ashcroft – casual member. Ms Ashcroft is a current Public Panel of Assessors member of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) and has investigation experience. Ms Ashcroft also has experience in a variety of business environments and is currently a part-time Financial Administrator with the Gold Coast Community Legal Centre and a registered BAS Agent with the Tax Practitioners Board.
- Troy Newman – casual member. Mr Newman is a current serving police officer having also worked at the Crime and Corruption Commission from May 2017 to February 2019. Mr Newman has extensive investigation experience and was principally involved in the Local Government corruption investigations into the Fraser Coast Regional Council. Mr Newman contributed to the legislative reform of the Local Government sector and is legally qualified.
- Clare O’Connor – casual member. Ms O’Connor is a barrister and part-time member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal. Ms O’Connor has extensive legal experience, having been both a Crown Prosecutor and an Acting Senior Crown Prosecutor.
- Gabe Bednarek – casual member. Mr Bednarek is a barrister who practices in both criminal and civil jurisdictions. Mr Bednarek has served on Queensland Touch Football’s Disciplinary Tribunal.
- Oliver Simon – casual member. Mr Simon was the previous CEO of Paroo Shire Council and the Deputy CEO for Logan City Council.
