Following the Fitzgerald Inquiry 2.0 findings this week, the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) is calling for post-prosecution reviews of other failed cases launched by the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) against mayors and councillors.
LGAQ CEO Alison Smith said the dissection of the Logan matter by the courts, the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee and, finally, by the Commission of Inquiry relating to the CCC, has laid bare the events that led to the wrongful charging of a number of elected members.
“The Logan matter is not the only failed prosecution launched by the CCC against elected members in recent history,” Ms Smith said.
“The Commission of Inquiry has recommended the CCC work with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to develop a process for conducting post‐prosecution reviews.
“We would urge this work to be undertaken as swiftly as possible.
“Further, we are calling for the CCC and the DPP to prioritise the review of other failed cases launched against elected members, so that any other instances of potential miscarriage of justice can be identified, rectified and processes put in place to ensure mistakes are never repeated.
“Livelihoods and reputations can be irreversibly impacted by the decisions important institutions like the CCC make.
“Queensland deserves a corruption watchdog we can all have faith in, and making sure failed cases are reviewed and any lessons learned are key to this.”
For more information, please contact:
Dan Knowles, Media Advisor
Phone: 0432 681 664
Local Government Association of Queensland