Today the Crime and Corruption Commission tabled a report in parliament into the Gold Coast City Council that once again raises questions about process and accountability of Mayor Tom Tate, his office and the council.
The CCC said, “no adverse inference should be made about these matters whilst they remain unresolved”. However, these allegations are serious and undermine trust in our council:
- Failure to declare and properly manage conflicts of interest;
- Intervention in processes in order to protect the Chief of Staff from disciplinary action, and
- Behaviour of the Chief of Staff with respect to the carrying out of council business.
The ongoing investigations cast a dark shadow over our city. Today, I call for Mr Tate to stand down while these matters are resolved by the CCC.
We have lost count of how many times Mr Tate has been investigated by the CCC. It is unthinkable that he can continue as Mayor and contest the election on 28 March as a mayoral candidate.
While justice needs to take its course, this matter affirms the deep mistrust in the Mayor that I have been hearing from Gold Coasters as I campaign around the city.
It is time to restore integrity and accountability to Gold Coast City Council.