By Jeremy Sollars
Southern Downs Mayor Tracy Dobie has declined to comment on media reports last weekend relating to a complaint she made to Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) about a Queensland member of parliament.
Brisbane media reported that former Queensland Police minister and ALP Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller was the subject of a complaint to the CCC by Cr Dobie that Ms Miller allegedly used her position to question a Southern Downs Regional Council fine on behalf of a family member, in 2016.
It was reported that Ms Miller phoned Cr Dobie and asked that the council review a fine issued to Ms Miller’s family member for illegally dumping rubbish.
Cr Dobie confirmed to the media that the phone call took place, but would not reveal what was discussed.
It is understood the CCC declined to investigate the complaint but that Cr Dobie made an official file note after the call.
She is reported to have raised the phone call from Ms Miller with State Parliament Speaker Peter Wellington, who Cr Dobie said advised her to take the matter to the CCC.
“I made a report to the CCC and I have received a response from them saying they don’t believe they can do anything,” Ms Dobie told Brisbane media.
“The situation has been finalised because the incident over which she was referring, the fine has been paid.”
For her part Ms Miller confirmed to the media she had called Cr Dobie after speaking with council officers but denied she had tried to use her position to get the fine overturned.
Ms Miller has said she then paid the fine with her own credit card.
“Neither the CCC nor Peter Wellington has contacted me in relation to this matter,” Ms Miller told Brisbane media.
“There is nothing in this, the fine was paid.”
Cr Dobie said she “may have misinterpreted her (Ms Miller’s) intent”.
“I did feel very strongly, but as I said, that is my interpretation,” Cr Dobie said
“I may have misinterpreted Jo-Ann Miller MP’s intent. I have asked for an investigation and been told there is nothing to investigate.”
The Free Times approached Cr Dobie this week for comment on the media reports but a council spokeswoman said, the mayor “makes no comment”.
Ms Miller has been preselected to recontest the seat of Bundamba at the next State Elections for the ALP.
