This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/06/dressing-gown-clad-ipswich-mayor-paul-pisasale-tells-reporters-he-quits

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Dressing gown-clad Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale tells reporters he quits Dressing gown-clad Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale tells reporters he quits
(about 1 hour later)
One of Queensland’s longest serving and most popular mayors, Paul Pisasale, has stood down citing health concerns a day after his office was searched by the state’s corruption watchdog as part of an ongoing investigation.One of Queensland’s longest serving and most popular mayors, Paul Pisasale, has stood down citing health concerns a day after his office was searched by the state’s corruption watchdog as part of an ongoing investigation.
Pisasale, the mayor of Ipswich since 2004, gave a press conference wearing a dressing gown at the city’s St Andrew’s private hospital on Tuesday morning to announce his resignation.Pisasale, the mayor of Ipswich since 2004, gave a press conference wearing a dressing gown at the city’s St Andrew’s private hospital on Tuesday morning to announce his resignation.
He said a recent flare-up of multiple sclerosis, which he has suffered for 26 years, had put him “up against the wall”. He said a flare-up of multiple sclerosis, which he has suffered for 26 years, had put him “up against the wall”. “Now it’s my time to look after my health,” Pisasale told reporters.
“Now it’s my time to look after my health,” Pisasale told reporters. On Monday Pisasale’s office was raided by the Crime and Corruption Commission. The commission confirmed the raid but said it would not comment further.
On Monday Pisasale’s office was raided by the Crime and Corruption Commission.
The commission confirmed the raid, but said it would not comment further.
Australian federal police are also understood to have been involved in raids at several locations, including Pisasale’s home.Australian federal police are also understood to have been involved in raids at several locations, including Pisasale’s home.
Fellow veteran Ipswich councillor, deputy mayor Paul Tully, will take over as acting mayor. A fellow veteran Ipswich councillor, deputy mayor Paul Tully, will take over as acting mayor.
Tully praised Pisasale, who has served on Ipswich city council since 1991, but added that he was aware of the AFP raids.Tully praised Pisasale, who has served on Ipswich city council since 1991, but added that he was aware of the AFP raids.
“I think that’s a matter that doesn’t reflect on the council, it’s a matter that may or may not involve Paul Pisasale and may involve other people as well,” Tully said. “I’m not aware of any allegation against the [former] mayor, or any claim of wrongdoing; it’s a fact-finding and information-gathering exercise at the moment.”“I think that’s a matter that doesn’t reflect on the council, it’s a matter that may or may not involve Paul Pisasale and may involve other people as well,” Tully said. “I’m not aware of any allegation against the [former] mayor, or any claim of wrongdoing; it’s a fact-finding and information-gathering exercise at the moment.”
Tully said he believed the investigation was separate to a CCC hearing earlier this year looking into political donations in local government elections. Pisasale was one of a number of south-east Queensland mayors called on to give evidence. Tully said he believed the investigation was separate to a CCC hearing this year looking into political donations in local government elections. Pisasale was one of a number of south-east Queensland mayors called on to give evidence.
The hearing was told Pisasale received more than $220,000 in donations before last year’s election, but he denied the money had any influence on him. “People give to churches but they don’t expect divine intervention,” Pisasale said. The hearing was told Pisasale received more than $220,000 in donations before last year’s election, but he denied the money had any influence on him. “People give to churches but they don’t expect divine intervention,” he said.
Pisasale has been an extremely popular mayor during his 13-year reign, winning more than 83% of the vote at the last election.Pisasale has been an extremely popular mayor during his 13-year reign, winning more than 83% of the vote at the last election.