Cairns Council dismissal was "harsh, unjust, unreasonable"

In a decision in the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, former Cairns Regional Council employee Peter Raymond Clarke demanded reinstatement.

Commissioner Fisher ruled that his dismissal was "harsh, unjust or unreasonable."

The Commission has ordered Council to pay Clarke any unused sick leave and a proportionate payment for long service leave, amounting to $612 in unused sick leave and $1,742 for long service leave.

Not a big financial burden on the Council, but this displays a system that is not respecting its duty towards employees when termination arises.

New Government announced on Monday

It looks likely that the three remaining independents will make an announcement on Monday, after heading home this weekend to their electorates to consider where they will put their allegiance.

In typical style, Kennedy's Bob Katter jokingly said, his mind was changing "every 15 minutes," however he opposes a mining tax and emissions trading scheme [see Katter's wish list], whereas Tony Windsor says he doesn't trust either Labor of the Coalition on budget measures. Rob Oakeshott wants better tertiary education in regional areas and wants discussion about a price on carbon through an ETS.

The three will release a document today listing reforms that they want for parliament, including a "beefed-up" committee system.

Hardly gripping stuff, as if that will deal with the real issues affecting long-term depressed economies like Cairns and Far North Queensland, that still has a sustained and double-digit unemployment.

Cairns property is "bottom of market"

Cairns property cycle is at the bottom of market, according to Herron Todd White's latest report.

The rental vacancy is is slowly increasing, however there's an oversupply of available property relative to demand, and new house construction and house sales are both recorded as "steady". The retail property market is showing a declining trend.

As Rick Carr told the Cairns Chamber of Commerce luncheon last week, don't expect much change over the next 12 months.

• "The Cairns retail market had been strengthening slowly but steadily for a number of years. However while this trend started fading out at the start of 2008 and continued to fade during 2009, we now perceive the Cairns retail market to be at or near the bottom of the cycle. It must be also said that retail property sales in Cairns are extremely sporadic, and there have been no retail properties of significance changing hands for some time.
  
  Most sales involving retail property have been of mixed use retail/office buildings or tenant buyouts of single premises. Despite the economic downturn that has presumably led to a reduction in consumer and tourism spending, vacancy levels in the prime retail sector have remained stable, with high exposure CBD space near fully occupied.
  
  However there are vacancies in lesser exposure locations and/or on the CBD fringe. Rents as a general rule have been static, showing ranges of $600 to $1500 per sqm per annum for prime CBD space, and $1000 to $2500 per square metre per annum in key tourist precincts such as the Cairns Esplanade.
  
  Yields for commercial properties in general in Cairns have eased back by about 10% from the record low levels observed at the start of 2008. Though true retail sales are rare in the Cairns market, we believe yields for retail premises have been steady in the 7.5% to 8.5% range, compared to the 6.75% to 7.25% range that prevailed at the start of 2008.
  
  RESIDENTIAL
  
  The Cairns market continues to bounce along the bottom of the cycle with very little distinction between locations and sectors. There are glimmers of activity starting to show through in the traditional lead suburbs but it is not yet sufficiently wide spread for us to call a general recovery.
  
  Stronger tourist numbers this season are infusing extra activity and jobs into the local economy, and more importantly extra confidence into the market, but progress is slow. The light is on at the end of the tunnel, but it is a long tunnel and its slow going getting there.
  
  There is also a generous supply of new property on the market at present relative to current rates of consumption, but we do not believe this to indicate a fundamental oversupply, for the following reasons:
  
  * The present level of supply is below that prevailing under normal market conditions in Cairns, and is progressively reducing as the rate of consumption exceeds the slow rate of new construction and development,
  
  * The current ratio of stock to sales is high only because of the abnormally low rates of sale. As sales rates recover along with the economy in general, the stock to sales ratios should revert quickly to more normal levels,
  * Prices have by no means collapsed, and;
  * Once demand does recover as will inevitably happen as the economy continues to recover, there is the possibility that shortages will start to materialise due to the paucity of new construction and development.
  
  Rental vacancy rates are starting to creep up again, largely we suspect because the usual peak season population influx this year has not been as strong as in previous years due to the perceived state of the economy. A further influence has been the carry over effects of last year’s First home Buyer scheme, which is now taking a number of people out of the rental market to become home owners. Our latest Herron Todd White Rent Roll survey shows July 2010 vacancy reading (in year round average trend terms) of 4.2% for houses, 5.8% for apartments and 5.1% overall.
  
  With very little extra supply coming into the rental pool as a result of the slowdown in new housing construction, we do not believe the present level of vacancies to be a cause for concern. However, it does mean that rents are likely to remain steady to slightly declining over the near term.
  
• MORE INFO Herron Todd White
  

Val wants you to play around

Today's opening of the new Cairns tennis centre, right next to Tobruk Pool on Sherdian Street, is starting with a bang, louder than John McEnroe screaming "you cannot be serious!".

It's free entry from today, 3rd - 12th September, for the inaugural Cairns International, that will host a line up of pro tennis stars. The Cairns International pro tournament is on from every day from 8am and under lights, from 5pm.

New Zealand Davis Cup rep Daniel King-Turner, will join Australian Olivia Rogowska, and junior Wimbledon runner-up Ben Mitchell at the opening events.

The three week tennis tour, will showcase locals in a week of community-focused tennis, culminating in the Davis Cup, with prizes of $40,000 up for grabs.

The schedule aims to reach out to the community through events including a coaching day by tennis great Evonne Goolagong, focused at aspiring indigenous girls visiting far northern communities and a coaching day for juniors.

The Legends celebrity match on Friday 10th September, will include Davis Cup players Wayne Arthurs, Sandon Stolle and Richard Fromberg, with players hooked up to microphones, so the audience can enjoy tennis banter.

On Sunday 17th, the new centre will host an open day with guided tours and a a chance to meet local tennis clubs.

Cairns Regional Council Mayor Val Schier will officially welcome players, officials, and delegates at an official launch celebration at the Court House Hotel this Sunday.

• MORE INFO
  Cairns International Pro Tournament

Remember Yodie?

Independent candidate in the Federal election, Yodie Batzke, is now on Twitter, joining the 1,055 CairnsBlog Twitter followers.

I see there's even Brad Ryan from the Cairns Post and mad Wendy from Family First there as well.

Some strange bedfellows, eh Brad?

Hillbilly Watch still on fire

The rather outgoing HillbillyWatch is still going off like a frog in a blender.

Reputedly set up by a "Mick Glennie" it's firing off at Mackenizie, Gavin King, Alan Blake and his mate Tracie Samin, Peter Roggenkamp, and even Barry Neall....

• "In an attack orchestrated by Cairns Post "editor at large" (brings feral pigs to mind) Gavin King and his buddy John Mackenzie, a parade of disgruntled and disaffected proceeded to voice their hillbilly opinions on the Council, Mayor Schier, and the work being done to establish a proper and modern performance arts space in Cairns.
  
  First off the blocks was the admittedly suicidal councillor Alan Blake reading his letter to no one. In his attempt to position himself as a candidate for Mayor, he attacked the proposal as too expensive at $240M, but in a flurry of doublespeak agreeed that $180M without a museum was fine. He also objected to the location on the waterfront and agreed that putting it on land now occupied by the Port Authority. Perhaps we'll learn more about Blake's mental health as his lawsuit against blogger Michael Moore is heard at court.
  
  The next caller, Cairns' Hillbilly Hoon Peter Roggenkamp was then teed up to voice his PREVIOUSLY EXPRESSED ignorant views.
  
  Oddly, the view that the cultural precinct should NOT be on the waterfront ignores what the Port Authority plans say. This area will NEVER be used for some vague "port operations". If the theater isn't built there, it will return to its gazetted role of hotel site, and another huge area of the waterfront will be blocked by another highrise building like the Hilton and Harbour Lights. Who wants another highrise hotel blocking the view of the inlet?
  Then a new addition to the Hillbilly hour, former councillor, car wash owner, and born-again bigot Paul Freebody.
  
  Freebody was beaten by 22 year old political novice for his position as councillor at the last election, whom he later referred to as the "five witches and bitches".
  
  Perhaps the fact he can't write a campaign brochure without misspelling a dozen common words had something to do with this decisive rejection by his division. Freebody can be counted on to get on his knees and give 4CA a good aural blowjob when called on by ringmaster Mackenzie. Oddly, nothing was said about the rumoured ongoing ASIC investigation into Freebody's moneyraising activities for his waterpark - said to be a violation of the "12/20 Rule".
  
  To round out the independent (ha ha) views, then next was Tracie McPherson Sanim, no doubt arranged by Blakey as HAS BEEN DONE IN THE PAST. Tracie is a sacked council employee, who said this morning that this current council was "dysfunctional". However in her PREVIOUS CORRESPONDENCE to the CEO, she clearly indicates she didn't get along with the previous CEO nor Mayor. Perhaps Tracie is just unable to work as a team, or perhaps its just PMT.
  
  Finally, Barry Neale, the leader of the "Residents against Aboriginals" group was called on to give his 1c of opinion. He again launched into a criticism that council "consulted" with 1000 arts-centric citizens, like somehow those in the arts can't have a say. On expansion of Barlow Park, council consulted with sporting groups. On expansion of Cazaly's, council consults with sporting groups and/or drunks. First development of any plan requires consultation with the users - but that's somehow not appropriate according to Neale. Barry should stick with running his group and running the aboriginals back to their settlements in the Cape.
  

Ah, the memories... "Negotiate"

Moving Australia one step forward, toward Gillard

Tasmanian independent MP for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, has decided to back Labor.


Of Wilkie's original 26 policy wish list, he secured commitments for poker machine reform and a massive $100 million in funding for his local Royal Hobart Hospital, whilst Abbott offered $1 billion to Tasmania to build a new hospital.

He also asked for a $20 million assistance package for Tasmanian forest contractors. [NB: read the full agreement here]

Wilkie famously described the justification for war in Afghanistan as "one of the great lies of the election campaign," however he remains concerned at much of Labor's agenda, including treatment of refugees.

"I will use my parliamentary term to champion appropriate reforms," Wilkie said today.

With the support of The Greens yesterday, it gives Gillard 74 seats, needing only two of the remaining independents to gain the 76 seats needed to form a minority government.

The Coalition now has a 11,000 lead on the two party preferred vote, that out of almost 11 million, around 50.004% to 49.996%. A divided nation alright.

It's looking more likely that the remaining three independents will do a deal with Gillard by early next week, which contrasts the relevant party support in their corresponding electorates.

Queensland rating - stuck on an AA1

Moody’s rating agency today confirmed Queensland is stuck on an AA1 rating more than 12 months after the Labor Government lost the State’s AAA credit rating.

Queensland’s financial performance continues to deteriorate, with Moody’s saying ‘as a result, large deficits are expected to persist… leading to further increases in the debt burden.

Queensland's debt still tops the nation at $83.5 billion, more than most other States combined.

Moody’s pointed out that the Queensland budget continues to deteriorate, showing the State government is still failing to control costs.

CAIRNS FESTIVAL: Final week of great events!

The 2010 Cairns Festival is on the home stretch.

The final week offers an extraordinary trio of events.

There's the Festival's first-ever playwright-in-residence: Dean Poynor, who has just arrived from New York to unleash his latest play Homo apocalyptus.

The Cairns season is a world premiere and is on at The Attic, 89 Grafton Street. Tomorrow, Thursday 3 September, is the last chance to catch his look at post-zombie apocalypse humanity.

Also, fresh from the Darwin Festival, Alana Valentine's touching play Head Full of Love offers a look at the human relationships that are formed and thrive at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival. You can catch this play at the Cairns Centre of Contemporary Arts on 3rd, 4th and 5th September. Book your tickets.

And now that the rain has gone, be on the lookout for the Amazing Drumming Monkeys on the Esplanade. Their musical monkey business is infectious, so bring the kids and get your groove on to a simian beat.

You can also catch local musicians on the Nard and at City Place for Cooked in Cairns. Or how about taking in the creative installations of the Esplanart exhibition. Take your kids to free Esplanart workshops at Cairns Regional Gallery this Saturday.

This big event on this Sunday, a Festival highlight is the Carnival on Collins.

Get out there and enjoy the Festival.

REVEALED: Community Radio letter terminating memberships

Over the next two weeks, in the build-up to the annual general meeting of Cairns Community radio, CairnsBlog will present a series of revealing bombshells about what's really going on with the power mad and money-hungry folk upstairs in their Manunda Raintrees bunker.

Today, I'm pleased to disclose the letter sent by Cairns Community Radio boss (read president, manager and all-round control freak) that he sent to Ross Parisi, a former city councillor and community leader in various organisations over the last 20 years.

In January, the committee approved Parisi's membership, following a radio interview on ABC when Coutts issued a public challenge for Ross Parisi to play a role in the operation of the radio station.

"I accepted his invitation and indicated to Mr Coutts via several emails my willingness to join the committee with the aim of utilising my public administration experience," Ross Parisi says. "I was for a number of years a member of Mulgrave Shire Council."

The nasty letter, signed by the secretary Diane Jensen, who had no involvement in it's wording at all, as it was concocted by Rodney Coutts and the station's solicitor Tom Stevens. I think dear Tom can spot a nice retirement nest egg when he sees one.

We know it was written by Coutts, as it mirrors many similar letters he's dispatched over the last 12 months since assuming office, in a systematic programme to block anyone joining that will question his ultimate authority.

There is also a reference in the letter to the secretary (which we're meant to believe is the author as well) in the third person! Opps.

So why did they boot Ross Parisi out of the Coutts' club?

Deceptive and misleading conduct. Parisi' crimes was to lobby to join the committee, and laudable duty given the motley crew that are running the place at the moment, and I'm saw a Barron River sugar cane farmer could do the job a whole lot better that a retired air force and photocopy salesman.

In the letter Parisi is accused of "acting in a condescending and overbearing manner and generally being hyper-critical troublemaker."

He is also accused of "associating with persons who have been vitriolic and abusive towards members of the committee." This is a bit rich coming from someone that stood by as vice president Pieter Blaau physically assaulted Cairns Regional Councillor Di Forsyth in January, when she was delivering membership forms. Like the forensic audit requested into the former Arona-run committee, Coutts also hushed this incident up and failed to even address the seriousness of the matter.

Rod Coutts wrote that Parisi was "claiming to be an illustrious personage citing alleged achievements, but failed to disclose past bankruptcies, all of which could have reflected badly on the Association."

Nice one Rod. This so-called revelation more than likely came from none other than Bovey, a partner in the law firm with Tom Stevens, who ran against Parisi in the Council election of 1994, and lost.

There's nothing in the constitution that talks of such an indiscretion being an obstruction to membership. Coutts will now need to remove his girlfriend/treasurer, Mimil Alvero for her bankrupt past, and don't stop there. I believe there's a presenter who manages the programming, one Col Johnston who also fits this description.

"I think they find me a threat," Ross Parisi told CairnsBlog. "I find Coutt's letter very insulting, saying my ' alleged achievements'. I was elected to public office six or seven times. The comment about bankruptcy, not bankruptcies, goes back 21 years ago in 1989."

Coutts is planning to rail-road a totally re-written constitution through the upcoming AGM on Monday September 13th, adding substantial amendments throughout, to restrict membership access, remove any appeals, and give large sums of money to those on the committee who are also employees of the station.

"I don't know how far you can go before a constitution until it becomes ultra-vires," Ross Parisi says. "Coutts uses this to hang his hat on and to discredit my membership, when it's not even part of the constitution."

After three adverse findings against the current community radio committee by the ACMA in the last 12 months, how can anyone be confident that the management will not draw further criticism and possible action against the station, with its current exclusionary practices?

"I also want to draw attention to the fact that draft changes to the constitution provide that all appeals against termination and refusal of membership will be considered by the committee and that the current right of appeal to a general meeting, where members themselves can adjudicate, will be removed," Ross Parisi says. "Ask yourself whether this is likely to improve or reduce the rights of members, and whether you would feel comfortable with such arrangements if you had a disagreement with the committee."

At last count, at least 20 people have had such disagreements in the past 12 months, resulting in numerous legal letters to be sent from a community radio that should be getting on with the business of involving the community and producing community radio.

"Think about why the management committee is so desperate to keep out members who disagree with them and deny them a right to a public hearing," Ross Parisi says. "What have they got to hide?"

Quite a lot it seems.

Freebody and Schier's 'gang of four'

Former Cairns councillor and waterpark wonder-woman, Paul Freebody, seems to be all in a fluster over numbers.

As cycling whizz kid and official candidate for ruining Alan Blake's future in politics, Richie Bates so succinctly puts it in today's Cairns Post, there are 11 Cairns Regional councillors, with at least six or seven independents...

• Paul Gregory (independent)
• Nancy Lanskey (independent)
• Robert Pyne (independent with Labor leanings)
• Kirsten Lesina (Labor)
• Alan Blake (Liberal)
• Linda Cooper (independent with Liberal leanings)
• Diane Forsyth (Labor)
• Margaret Cochrane (independent with Liberal leanings)
• Sno Bonneau (independent with Liberal leanings)
• Julia Leu (independent)
• Val Schier (Labor)

Numbers like $35 million may not add up that easily for Mr Freebody.

With this last outburst in mind, it's hard not to forget Paul's efforts during the last council election, when he designed some magnificent election brochures. Some things never change.

Don't talk about me, no one! - Councillor Alan Blake

- Cairns Post - September 1st, 2010

This headline in the Cairns Post screams of desperation.

The very idea that elected politicians should not expect, nor want the public to talk about themselves and their actions, is a supreme irony. When did the game of politics become a one-way dialogue? An engaged and educated public is what a healthy democracy is all about.

I doubt many CairnsBlog readers will have the fear of God in them, after such a threat. I know that many are extremely concerned that Council are even considering paying for legal costs on a defamation case.

CAIRNS FESTIVAL: Where art thou Art o Mat?

And now for something completely different!

So, just how does one collect art $5 at a time?

Easy! Just visit the Southern Hemisphere’s first Art-o-mat machine that arrives in Cairns today as part of Cairns Festival celebrations. And after the Festival is over, it will remain here as our own art vending machine.

Mayor of Cairns Regional Council, Val Schier unveiled the machine and vend the first art piece today.

This shiny new, re-purposed vending machine is packed with creativity, bearing 400 diminutive, original works-of-art from the world over. And everyone is invited to come in, take a look and start collecting.

"Each of the 90+ Art-o-mat machines in existence are works of art themselves," says Cairns Festival producer, Eric Holowacz. "We're proud that Cairns is now home to Australia’s first affordable art dispensing machine – just days after the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC gets its first."

MORE INFO... Click away!

Cairns Regional Council will soon offer workshops to encourage local artists to make vendible works and become part of the Art-o-mat network.

'Building the Education Revolution' stinks

The Australian reports this morning that two of the most senior officials handling the federal government's troubled schools stimulus scheme in NSW, are also partners in a private company that delivered the disastrous $30 million Bedminster waste system in Cairns.

• "Top Building the Education Revolution NSW bureaucrat Bob Leece and Rebecca Wark, who is in charge of overseeing the scheme in northern NSW, the most trouble-prone BER region in the country, are the sole directors of private "waste management" group EWT.
  
  During the plant's first year of operation, its Bedminster rubbish digesters repeatedly crashed and two were placed "out of commission indefinitely".
  
  The Environmental Protection Agency ordered the plant to reduce odour pollution following problems with biofilters, which had to be repaired at a cost of $100,000, and the Cairns City Council issued the operating company with a "performance breach" based on contractual issues.
  
  After repeated public stoushes with the Cairns City Council, and ongoing operational problems, EWT in 2006 sold the plant to another private operator for $5m. Cairns ratepayers were subsequently slugged with a $550,000 rate increase to cover extra costs of running the troubled plant.
  
  In February this year, the plant was again rendered inoperable after a large section of suspended concrete collapsed. It remains out of action.
  

Looking for Field Family, Bunting Street, Cairns, 1950

Can you help? If so, email Brian.

• Hello,
  
  My name is Brian Austin, I am trying to trace my Great Uncle's family who lived in Bunting Street in the 1950's.
  
  His name was William Field, born Custom House, West Ham, England in 1892, his wife was Genty. I know William passed away in 1955, and I believe from Ancestry researchers that there are 3 daughters still living, but not sure where, or of married names.
  If anybody has any info, or could point me in the right direction, or pass on this e mail, I would be very grateful
  
  Kind regards
  Brian
  
  ps My mother's maiden name was Mary Jackson, and sister Audrey Jackson if this helps (William's half brother, my Grandfather, was James Jackson, born Custom House, West Ham in 1903

Bligh is next

Kevin got the boot because Labor believed he was unelectable, and now that the Federal election is (almost) behind us, the sights are being focused on Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh.

Talk to any Labor insider, and they'll tell you she's simply un-electable.

Bligh will not make it to the next State election, expected to be in mid-2012. She's lost support from grassroots members and most unions, who have clashed violently with the party over privatisation plans to sell-off assets.

In our patch, unions booted out Barron River MP Steve Wettenhall, and Member for Cook, Jason O'Brien. Just weeks prior to the Federal election, Jim Turnour had a "mix up" with his union membership renewal, however it was dealt with when told it would be exposed.

Bligh is a dead woman walking.

Besides ex-Police Minister Julie Spence, who's had a far from happy relationship with Anna, there will be a few others gunning for the job. Andrew Fraser, the Stephen Conroy of Queensland, has his eyes firmly on Bligh's job, and will probably be the one to launch a challenge.

Fraser, who was in Cairns last week for the Tropical Institute dinner, and seen snuggling up to Wettenhall at Sebel's bar, appears to lining up for the debt-ridden top job.

At the packed über-celebrity dinner, 34-year-old Fraser came across with a degree of boyish arrogance, with a few lame jokes thrown in that failed to engage the learned audience.

The event was made up of our local councillors including Cochrane, Cooper, Gregory, Leu, Schier, Forsyth and even Blake, which was surprising as he says he's attending less functions over the last year. Oh, and there was an unnamed woman at the table. There were also councillors from Cassowary Coast and the Tablelands and the junket.

Frazer's spin was all about exporting knowledge and education into the South Pacific and Asia. It seems, Cairns has lost the plot on tourism now.

Last February I published an uncanny likeness of Anna on a recreated cover I called 'Annaity Fair'. It was all about her not going full term as the State election was called prematurely, which proved fortuitous.

I sat down and had a natter with Anna when she bought the cabinet meeting here, and presented her with a copy of this wonderful depiction, needless to say, she was rather touched, but stopped short of having her photo taken with it. I must pop up the video of our little tête-à-tête sometime soon.

Looks like dragging this depiction out once again, may well prove appropriate. But who will the baby be?

Bob gets into bed with Julia. Now that's an odd marriage

Bob Brown of The Greens signed an agreement with Gillard today, backing a Labor-led government. Abbott told Brown yesterday that he would oppose any deal he put up on climate change, sparking the trigger for him to sign.

In the deal, Gillard requested numbers from the Greens, and refusal to support any no confidence motions against Labor.

In his deal, Brown demanded a move towards free dental health care; referendum on indigenous Australians to be recognised in the Constitution; reform for political advertising and donations; a debate of Afghanistan, and a climate change committee, effectively dumping Labor's 'citizen's assembly'. However, there's no Greens MP in cabinet under this deal, nor any mention of the gay marriage debate, so passionate to The Greens.

Regardless, it's still up to three lone independents: Rob Oakeshott, Bob Katter and Tony Windsor, who say they're at the "pointy end" of the deal.

Local government warned about new voting system

Queensland councillors have been urged to look closely at the Queensland Labor government’s proposed changes to local government voting system.

The annual Queensland Local Government Association is meeting in Mackay today and is reviewing changes being discussed by the Law and Justice Safety Committee to introduce proportional representation.

“Councillors are currently elected by optional preferential voting where the local government area is divided into single member divisions, and first-past-the-post in all other cases,” Shadow Minister for Local Government Howard Hobbs said.

“Prior to the last election The Greens, who favour proportional representation, did a preference deal with Premier Anna Bligh, who then called the election early before a new local government voting system could be introduced," Hobbs told the conference in Mackay. "Clearly proportional representation is back on the agenda and I urge all councillors to look at it carefully for what impact it could have on their councils.”

Hobbs says proportional representation was more likely to favour minority groups who would have a destabilising effect on councils.

“If you don’t like proportional representation you need to campaign strongly against its introduction,” he says. “The long-term Bligh Labor government has a track record of sneaking through tricky legislation, but it is politically vulnerable and you should be actively lobbying against unwanted changes to the local government voting system.”

The plans comes on top of a move to remove all divisional boundaries in the Cairns Regional Council area, which is expected to be endorsed by the State Government prior to the next Council election in 2012.

Another member terminated from community radio, days before AGM

In a string of membership terminations and resignations from the besieged Cairns community radio 89.1 FM, the latest casualty is former Mulgrave Shire councillor and long-time community advocate, Ross Parisi, who headed 'Friends of 4CCR' to reform the troubled organisation.

On the 4th August, president Rod Coutts called a special meeting to expel another member who has been seeking transparency and openness in the $300,000 government-funded community organisation.

The emergency meeting was called to bar Parisi from participating in the forthcoming AGM.

Coutts often cites an infamous clause used many times previously, that dissenting members should not challenge the "constitutionally-elected president."

In Parisi's case, he was charged with "associating with those that appose the management committee," in his position as chair of Friends of 4CCR.

Parisi says he will appeal the decision, and has reapplied for membership.

"I am asking that it be given urgent attention in considering my membership application as I will be attending annual general meeting [on September 13th]," Ross Parisi said.

Parisi says he took personal offence to the contents in the letter from Rod Coutts.

"I consider its contents to be prejudicial, discriminatory and defamatory in the circumstances," he told Rod Coutts in a letter today. "I have reserved my legal rights to take legal action. It does concern me that you and your management committee have chosen to take perceptive action notwithstanding my community involvement, record and good will."

Rod Coutts, who is the only person ever to write on behalf of the community radio, responded by saying that Ross Parisi was banned from attending the AGM, as it is for "members only."

"As you are aware your previous membership was terminated," Rod Coutts said. "The application form you forwarded to us cannot be processed until the next committee meeting... held in the latter part of September 2010, after the AGM."

"The AGM of Cairns Community Broadcasters Inc is a members only meeting and non-members will not be allowed to attend," Rod Coutts said.

Ross Parisi helped form Friends of 4CCR in February to advocate change and move the station forward for anyone in the wider community, however Coutts has consistency discounted the group a "bunch of troublemakers."

Following a series of letters to the station's membership from Ross Parisi outlining "serious concerns", Coutts was determined to terminate his membership.

The special committee meeting refused to process numerous other membership applications, that, under the rules, must be considered.

Over the last 12 months since being elected as president of Cairns community radio, Rod Coutts has not allowed any new memberships. He has also refused to disclose committee minutes or financial records, following numerous requests by Cairns Regional Councillor Linda Cooper.

Six of the committee elected last year resigned in disgust at Coutts' management amid serious allegations that he wasn't being transparent about using station funds. Proposed changes to the constitution confirm that Rod Coutts plans to pay himself up to $60,000 per year as manager and remain as president, a serious conflict of interests. He has also put a paid technician contractor on the committee, who, along with Coutts' girlfriend and treasurer, aim to be paid many thousands.

The ACMA has dished out no less than four formal investigations about mismanagement, with another two expected in coming weeks. The ACMA have outlined a set of agreed measures and with just four months to go, not one has been attended to.

On top of the refusal to allow any scrutiny or public accountability, the on-air programming has deteriorated to become something of a laughing stock, with technical failures, poorly-run shows, 90% of which are ethnic, leaving no room for broader community participation from youth or other interest groups. This is done as ethnic programming provides a valuable source of funding.

As a matter of public openness and reporting to the wider community, anyone interested in seeking a review of the first 12 months of Rodney Coutts' leadership of Cairns Community Radio, should come along to the AGM.

• Cairns Community Radio - AGM 2010
  Brother's League Club
  7pm ~ Monday 13th September
  Upstairs meeting room.
  Everyone most welcome. Really.