Queensland's developer donation laws should be reviewed amid a revelations a Gold Coast councillor voted on dozens of applications despite declaring a potential conflict of interest, an academic says.
The ABC has reported Gold Coast Deputy Mayor Donna Gates declared a "real or perceived conflict of interest" on more than 30 applications since last year's election.
Cr Gates cast her vote in each application regardless, a practice which is allowed under Queensland law.
In NSW, property developer donations are illegal while Victorian councillors who receive donations of $500-plus from a person or company with a direct interest in a matter at a council meeting must declare a conflict of interest and leave the room before any discussion or vote takes place.
Professor Clive Bean from the Queensland University of Technology says it's time for Queensland's laws to reflect community attitudes towards potential conflicts of interest.
"It's a matter of conforming, in a way, to community standards," Professor Bean told AAP.
"People are now of the view that conflicts of interest are important to be revealed and acted upon.
"If one can't show quite clearly that one can be impartial, then the obvious thing to do is to stand aside and let people who are impartial deal with relevant matters."
The Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission is investigating the conduct of candidates involved in the 2016 local government elections for the Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, Ipswich and Logan councils.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she will wait to receive recommendations from CCC chairman Alan MacSporran before considering changes to local government laws.
"I'm looking forward to seeing that report when he finishes his investigation and, I've said this before and I'll say it again, we will move swiftly to look at any recommendations he makes," Ms Palaszczuk said.
Cr Gates has defended her actions, saying there's no suggestion she has done anything wrong because she declared her potential conflicts of interest.
She denies any implication her votes have been influenced by donations to her campaign.
"When I've stayed in the room, I've stayed in the room to ensure a better outcome for the community, nothing else," Cr Gates told AAP.
"It's fairly disappointing it's being portrayed in the way it is."
Cr Gates was elected unopposed at last year's local election and it has been reported she has declared $174,000 in campaign donations since that poll.
Share
