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Wednesday, February 24, 2016
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Misconduct allegations tabled in state parliament
Author returns to launch book CANCER survivor and first-time author Charlene Ericson returned to her hometown of Mareeba at the weekend to officially launch her new book – ‘Battle Scars’. In front of more than 100 family and friends at the Mareeba RSL, the mother of two shared her personal story and battle with stage 3C Ovarian Cancer – at the young age of 31. The intimate book is written straight from the heart and tells all – the good, the bad and ugly truths of this terrible cancer. Charlene is now on a mission to create awareness and with February being Ovarian Cancer awareness month, she urges all women to be aware of the signs and symptoms. To purchase a copy of ‘Battle Scars’ go to www.battlescars.biz – $2 from every book sold will go to Ovarian Cancer Australia. ■ Turn to page 16 for photos from the event. PICTURED: Friend and MC Andrea Ambrosio with author Charlene Ericson at Saturday’s launch of ‘Battle Scars’. Photo by Peter Roy.
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ALLEGED misconduct allegations against a current sitting Tablelands Regional Councillor were tabled in a report to state parliament last Thursday morning. Councillors and ratepayers in the gallery were notified of the developments at the end of last week’s TRC meeting. In a statement, TRC CEO Ian Church said that an independent assessor had been assigned to investigate the allegations. “Having confidence in the integrity of our complaints process is paramount for the protection of our staff when raising concerns or complaints. It is appalling for the staff involved to have information disclosed in a confidential process exposed to the public,” he said. “Due to the seriousness of the complaints, as soon as I was made aware of the situation, an independent assessor was engaged to investigate and assess the allegations. “Some of the allegations made against the councillor were substantiated. The independent assessor made a number of recommendations, which are being implemented. “TRC has followed legislative requirements and kept involved parties up to date throughout the review process. “An investigation will be undertaken to determine how these confidential documents came into the possession of Mr Rob Pyne MP to ensure that this significant invasion of privacy does not occur again.” Member for Cairns Rob Pyne – who used his parliamentary privilege defamation defence whilst tabling the report – said the information was provided to him in ac-
cordance with the Public Interest Disclosure Act. “I tabled these documents in relation to TRC and Lockyer Valley Regional Council in Parliament under Public Interest Disclosure because it is in the public interest to see how the complaints system has failed at many levels in these two cases,” he said. “For instance, a CEO has a duty to report alleged corrupt conduct to the CCC and it is alleged in this case that this has not occurred. “It is further reported in the documentation that the complainant has not been kept adequately informed, in contrast to the claims of TRC in their latest media release. “This is also another example of alleged perpetrators investigating themselves. These are all elements that I am fighting to get changed so that the public and staff of local government can raise complaints with confidence that they will be assessed fairly and kept informed during the process of the investigation. “Therefore I out rightly reject the assertion from TRC that I have acted inappropriately in my judgement to table this material in the public interest. “I’m stating again that there is no leak and no-one has acted outside their authority, or duty, in providing this material to me, and I have acted with sound judgement in tabling it in parliament.” For ratepayers who are interested in viewing an online copy of the February 18 tabled report, it can be found on the Queensland Parliament website via: https:// www.parliament.qld.gov.au/workof-assembly/tabled-papers/onlinetabled-papers
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