Statement from Local Government Minister

Local Government Minister Stirling HInchliffe said:

"I have been asked numerous times today by journalists and members of the community why I acted against the former Mayor of the Fraser Coast Regional Council, but have not moved against a Mayor facing criminal charges.

"When a Local Government Mayor repeatedly breaches the Local Government principles, there are powers available to me under the Local Government Act.

"I used these powers in making my decision to dismiss former Mayor Loft in February.

"When a Mayor is alleged to have committed a crime, and is charged by the Crime and Corruption Commission, those matters are considered by a criminal court.

"It is not for me as Local Government Minister to pre-empt the outcome of any pending criminal proceedings."