General News
15 August, 2026
Conflict of interest affects councillor slush funds
COUNCILLORS will no longer be able to simply declare a conflict of interest when using their discretionary funds for a project but will be unable to allocate money to that project at all, under an amendment to the community grants policy approved this week.
During discussion on recommended changes to the community grants policy including councillor discretionary funds, Cr Brett Moller proposed an amendment to conflict of interest resolutions, that would ensure the process was “clean and simple – if there’s a conflict don’t apply discretionary funds”.
He said the current system put pressure on both fellow councillors and staff, whereby a councillor could declare the conflict, then leave it up to other councillors and staff to find a resolution.
“You can’t just dip your toe in and out of the water,” he said.
Councillors have $100,000 per year to use in a discretionary way for their constituents, with projects such as paving, lighting, clubs, playgrounds and other infrastructure.
In supporting the amendment Cr Rob Pyne said this change would ensure transparency and accountability.
He said, while it had not occurred in Cairns, he was aware of past incidents in other Queensland councils where there had been misuse of funds.
“There has been a temptation … for people to use their discretionary funds to buy support from the community, if you like,” he said.
“But I think this council has always been of a very high standard in terms of the boundaries we put on these funds and how they are administered. And I want to thank Cr Moller for making sure we stay in that space.”
Councillors also supported applications for allocation being made before 31 March each year, to prevent the rush at the end of the financial year (discretionary funds do not roll over) which added further pressure on council staff. Other updates related to acquittal and procurement requirements for third party fund recipients.
