The state’s corruption watchdog will not investigate the financial arrangement between mining company Adani and a central Queensland council.
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The Crime and Corruption Commission assessed material provided by Isaac Regional Council and determined there was no conflict of interest in the mining company providing financial compensation to the council for the impact of the proposed coal mine.
Questions over why Adani was making payments to the council, where most of the proposed $16.5 billion Carmichael coal mine could be built, were raised last month.
An assessment of the impacts on local roads and access to the proposed mine found Adani was required to adhere to the then-Queensland government’s own 2014 Carmichael Mine environmental impact statement (EIS) conditions.
The two specific conditions referenced financial agreements between the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Adani Australia.
Isaac Regional Council will receive money from Adani Australia to cover the cost of four short-term staff appointed by the council to process applications for mine site access, for local roads and local road upgrades to the Carmichael mine.
On Friday, the CCC completed its assessment of the financial arrangement and determined it would not investigate further as there was “no evidence that raises a reasonable suspicion of corrupt conduct”.
“The CCC has been advised the selection of any staff that will be funded by the arrangement will be conducted using the usual merit-based process, a process which Adani is not involved in,” a statement read.
“The CCC has reminded the Isaac Regional Council about its obligations to ensure all decisions are made in the public interest, are merit-based and are transparent."
- With Tony Moore
