Corruption investigator to head new councillor complaints office

Respected crime investigator Kathleen Florian has been appointed as the inaugural Independent Assessor to head up the new office to deal with councillor conduct complaints in Queensland.
 
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe welcomed the appointment of Ms Florian, who was formerly an Assistant Commissioner at the Crime and Corruption Commission and Executive Director of Investigations at the Office of the Health Ombudsman.
 
“Ms Florian has impeccable and extensive credentials in the areas of crime and complaints investigations,” Mr HInchliffe said.
 
“I have no doubt that her leadership of the Office of the Independent Assessor will improve accountability, integrity and transparency of local governments.

“This is a responsive government which recognises that Queenslanders want a system of Local Government that they can have faith in.

“That’s exactly what this and our other Local Government reforms aim to deliver.”
 
The Office of the Independent Assessor commences operations on 3 December and will provide a simpler and more streamlined system for making, investigating and determining complaints about councillor conduct.

It will also promote high standards of conduct by elected councillors by providing advice, training and information.

Ms Florian has been appointed for a term of five years.
 
Mr John Boyd was also appointed today as the President of the new Councillor Complaints Tribunal.

Mr Boyd has extensive experience in public sector management, corruption prevention and public sector ethics.
 
The Tribunal will draw from a new panel of casual members who are Susan Johnson, Rodney Metcalfe, Tamara O’Shea, Christina Turner, June Anstee and Gail Hartridge.

They bring a range of legal, public sector, ethical and investigation experience to the Tribunal.
 
The President and members of the Councillor Complaints Tribunal are appointed for four years from 1 November 2018.
 
For further information visit www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/office-of-the-independent-assessor

Biographies

Kathleen Florian – Independent Assessor

Ms Florian was most recently the Executive Director Investigations in the Office of the Health Ombudsman, with oversight of investigations into the most serious allegations of professional misconduct by health practitioners.

Previously, Ms Florian was employed with the Crime and Corruption Commission including as Assistant Commissioner (Crime), Executive Director (Crime), Acting Chief Executive Officer and Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner (Misconduct).

Earlier in her career, she was the Queensland State Manager with the Australian Crime Commission and gained extensive experience in crime and corruption prevention, leading national intelligence programs to inform the development of tailored prevention strategies.

Ms Florian has been a barrister for 26 years.

Councillor Conduct Tribunal

John Boyd – President

Mr Boyd has extensive experience in the integrity field, including in corruption prevention and public sector ethics. From 1993 to 2009, he was the Manager, Corruption Prevention at the Crime and Misconduct Commission. He has been appointed to more than 60 disciplinary panels.

Media contact: Martin Philip 0427 919 548