April 21, 2021
The Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA) has dismissed four more complaints lodged against South Burnett councillors.
The related complaints were lodged on April 12.
They alleged that:
1. A number of councillors made an incorrect decision about an increase of spending on a project, and
2. That a number of councillors appeared to be voting as a bloc on important matters.
The OIA dismissed the complaints saying the conduct did not raise a reasonable suspicion of inappropriate conduct or misconduct within the meaning of the Act.
In relation to the first issue, concerns about administrative decisions of council that the complainant considered to be flawed or not appropriately made were not within the jurisdiction of the OIA to deal with, and the complainant had been re-directed to the Queensland Ombudsman.
In relation to the second issue, it was not councillor misconduct for councillors who take a like-minded approach to an issue or range of issues to vote together.
southburnett.com.au understands these complaints relate to a petition in regards to an increase in spending on the Kingaroy Transformation Project and allegations Crs Gavin Jones, Cr Roz Frohloff, Cr Danita Potter and Cr Scott Henschen were voting as a bloc.
