Cairns Mayor Terry James has launched a strong public defence of his council's integrity, directly challenging a parliamentary submission made by Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC). The mayor asserts the watchdog's document presents a misleading picture of corruption risks within the Cairns Regional Council.
A Public Dispute Over Perceived Risks
The conflict centres on a submission the CCC provided to the State Parliament's Economics and Governance Committee, which is currently examining the operations of the state's integrity agencies. In that document, the CCC cited the Cairns Regional Council as an example of a local government facing elevated corruption risks.
Mayor Terry James has taken the unusual step of publicly releasing his own written response to the CCC, dated May 20, 2024. In it, he forcefully disputes the commission's characterisation. James argues the CCC's submission creates a "false and misleading impression" about the council's governance and the behaviour of its elected officials and staff.
The core of the mayor's rebuttal focuses on the CCC's reference to previous investigations. While acknowledging the CCC has investigated matters related to the council in the past, James emphasises that none of those investigations resulted in any criminal charges or findings of corrupt conduct against the council as an entity.
The Mayor's Defence and Call for Evidence
In his detailed response, Mayor James challenges the CCC to provide concrete evidence to support its claims of heightened risk. He questions whether the commission's assessment is based on outdated information or unsubstantiated perceptions rather than current, factual data.
"The submission, in our view, unfairly tarnishes the reputation of a local government that is committed to transparency and accountability," James stated. He highlighted the council's existing frameworks and protocols designed to prevent corrupt conduct, suggesting these were not adequately acknowledged by the CCC.
This public spat places a spotlight on the often-testy relationship between oversight bodies and the institutions they monitor. It raises questions about how risk assessments are communicated and the potential impact on public trust, even when no formal findings of corruption have been made.
Implications for Local Government Oversight
The mayor's decision to publicly release his counter-submission is a significant escalation. It moves what is typically a private dialogue between a council and an integrity agency into the public domain, inviting scrutiny from residents and state politicians alike.
The parliamentary committee reviewing the CCC's operations will now have this contrasting viewpoint on the record. The dispute may prompt further questions about the methodology the CCC uses to identify and report on corruption risks across Queensland's 77 local governments.
For the residents of Cairns, the clash creates a complex narrative. On one hand, the state's primary anti-corruption body has flagged their council as an area of concern. On the other, their directly elected mayor is vehemently denying any systemic problems and demanding proof. The outcome of this disagreement could influence both local political dynamics and state-level policy on integrity monitoring.
As the State Parliament's committee continues its work, the contrasting submissions from the CCC and Mayor James will serve as a key case study in the balance between robust oversight and the reputational rights of public institutions. The council awaits any further response from the CCC regarding the specific evidence behind its original risk assessment.
