A former Queensland councillor wrongfully accused of misconduct has called for the state's corruption watchdog to be granted powers to punish people who make baseless allegations.
John Smith, a former Livingstone Shire councillor who served six consecutive terms, became the subject of an allegation made by councillor Glenda Mather the day before an election in 2008.
Mr Smith fronted a Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) forum on Friday as the watchdog considered whether to prohibit the deliberate public disclosure or misconduct allegations.
"It does affect your health, it can become a death sentence," he said.
Mr Smith told the panel the same allegation - that he was involved in the building of a ratepayer-funded road for the exclusive use of one fishing enthusiast - had been confidentially investigated and dismissed two years earlier.
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The former councillor believed candidates "saved up" allegations until an election campaign for maximum impact.
"There's no reason, other than people want an electoral advantage, to do that," he said.
"It lowers the perception of that political system in the minds of the public."
Mr Smith won an $85,000 defamation case against Ms Mather but said the legal process was complex and lengthy.
The public had a right to know when action was taken against guilty parties, he said, however the identification of those being investigated, particularly in regional towns, should be prevented.
"I don't want to see it happen to anyone else," he said.
"There needs to be a penalty if someone breaks the system," he said.
CCC chairman Alan MacSporran said Mr Smith's evidence had been "especially important" to the panel due to his personal experience.
Mr Smith's submissions echoed that of Local Government of Queensland Association chief executive Greg Hallam who lamented the loss of civility in election campaigns.
Mr Hallam said with the rise of social media and perceived advantage to be enjoyed from publicising allegations in the political process had fostered an "anything goes" mindset.
"Unfortunately, society's changed," he said.
