Statement on Burnett Shire Mayor Cr Ray Duffy and Cr Greg Barnes

November 30 2006

Statement on Burnett Shire Mayor Cr Ray Duffy and Cr Greg Barnes

Burnett Shire Mayor Ray Duffy will be charged today with three breaches of the Local Government Act, relating to undeclared gifts and interests.

Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser said the complaints and summonses are being filed today in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court.

“The Crime and Misconduct Commission referred briefs of evidence to my department in September and Crown Law has since provided further advice,” Mr Fraser said.

“Cr Duffy has now been charged with providing a false or misleading electoral return under section 436(2) of the Act and two counts of not declaring an interest under section 247(3).”

Mr Fraser said the charges related to:

·An account Cr Duffy allegedly opened at the Bendigo Bank in Townsville on 1 July 2002, apparently used for undeclared loans that have since been repaid

·The alleged gift of a person to help Cr Duffy with media and public relations during his re-election campaign in 2004, provided by Coral Cove Joint Venture and

·An alleged gift to attend a rugby league game in Sydney on 21 August 2005 (including air travel, accommodation, meals and beverages), provided by CABE Investments.

Breaches of section 436(2) carry a maximum penalty of $7,500. Breaches of section 247(3) carry a maximum penalty of $6,375. Conviction under either provision could result in disqualification as a local government councillor, subject to the Court’s discretion.

Cr Duffy is also being prosecuted by the CMC, which has charged him with four counts of providing false and misleading information during the course of its investigation into earlier allegations of corrupt conduct. Those allegations were not substantiated.

Mr Fraser said a separate matter involving an alleged breach of the Local Government Act by Cr Greg Barnes had been referred to the Council for further consideration under its code of conduct.

Cr Barnes had admitted his mistake, corrected his register and not participated in any votes involving the provider of the gift.

Media Contact: Chris Taylor 3227 8825 or 0419 710 874