By Sonia Isaacs
THE Queensland Opposition has referred Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie to the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC), raising serious concerns over state government involvement in a controversial Sunshine Coast development proposed by a major LNP donor.
Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick made the announcement on Wednesday (June 4) at a media event on the Sunshine Coast. The $24 million Maleny Manor development is currently before the Planning and Environment Court. Mr Dick said the referral was based on the opposition’s concerns that LNP donor Geoffrey Thomas—linked to the project—falls under Queensland’s prohibited donor laws. “Since 2019, it has been illegal for property developers to donate to political parties and candidates,” Mr Dick said. “Of the more than $100,000 this donor gave to the LNP, $35,000 was donated after the development application was lodged.” Mr Dick said it was “incumbent” on the minister to have sought and released advice from the Queensland Integrity Commissioner on his involvement in the matter.
The development proposal, which was rejected by the Sunshine Coast Council in January, would see a 38-unit short-term accommodation facility built at the Maleny Manor site at Bald Knob. The council vote was narrowly lost 6-5. The developer, Presidential Capital Pty Ltd ATF Geoffrey Thomas Family Trust, has since appealed the decision. In May, the state’s planning department sought leave to appear in the court case in support of the appellant to “protect state interests”, which was granted by an independent judge.
A spokesperson for Minister Bleijie dismissed the Opposition’s claims: “This is a desperate attempt from a desperate Labor Opposition to muckrake and use the CCC for their political games.”
“The Queensland Government is not the decision-maker in this process. The matter is before an independent court as a routine planning application.”
The Deputy Premier did not use his ministerial “call-in” powers, and the state maintains its involvement is standard procedure in matters of tourism significance. It is not suggested Geoffrey Thomas has engaged in any wrongdoing.