Matthew Wilkinson represented the first respondent, instructed by the Independent Assessor.
In Belot v The Independent Assessor & Anor [2026] QCAT 208, QCAT reviewed a decision of the Councillor Conduct Tribunal. The CCT had found that Councillor Belot engaged in misconduct under s 150L(1)(b)(i) of the Local Government Act 2009. The finding concerned his attendance, with two other councillors and without a council officer present, at a site inspection of land the subject of a development application before council. QCAT considered whether the conduct involved a knowing or reckless breach of the trust placed in him as a councillor. It found that it did not. In reaching that conclusion, QCAT noted that there was no clear statutory, regulatory or policy requirement for a council officer to attend such a site inspection. The CCT’s decision was set aside, and the Independent Assessor’s application was dismissed.
The judgment can be read by clicking here
