The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) welcomes the announcement of a parliamentary inquiry into the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA).
LGAQ President and Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said the Association and its member councils were growing increasingly concerned with the types of investigations being launched and the time being taken to resolve complaints.
“The misconduct investigation launched into Barcaldine Regional Council Mayor Sean Dillon is a clear example of where the system is going wrong,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“A mayor should not be facing sanction for speaking out in support of his community.
“We simply cannot have a situation where elected members are scared to represent their communities in the frank and fearless way Queenslanders not only expect but deserve.
“The LGAQ has always supported the role of the OIA but after three years, we believe it is time for a parliamentary review to look at what is working and what is not.
“I would like to thank Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Deputy Premier Steven Miles for taking this action and the LGAQ looks forward to discussing this further with the Deputy Premier next week.”
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Vogler, External Relations Director
Local Government Association of Queensland