Fighting City Hall

'A politically engaged citizenry is needed for democracy to work well'

SEVENTEEN YEARS REPORTING on one community newspaper gave me background knowledge into this year’s Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) inquiry into four Queensland councils.

      I worked for 17 years on the Pine Rivers Press and, for four years before that, I was with the Queensland Times group at Ipswich.

Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Logan, and the Gold Coast were the four councils subject to the CCC investigation.

      In Maaate! Bribe-Proofing the Public Purse Against Good Blokes I combine coverage of the CCC hearings with my history with councils of Ipswich and Moreton Bay.

Researching my book, I found an avid following of the hearings from ‘council watchers’.

But I also discovered interested citizens who did not know much at all about the hearing.

       As Law Professor Graeme Orr says in his preface to my book, a politically engaged citizenry is needed for democracy to work well.

     In Maaate! I abridge some of the lively discussion at the hearings from people such as Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale, who is facing serious criminal charges, deputy mayor Paul Tully, Logan Mayor Luke Smith, Moreton Bay Mayor Allan Sutherland, and Redcliffe developer David Trask.

      I add commentary and stories of my interaction over the years with councillors, developers and political donors.

      The topic might be a dire one but I have written my book for laughs as well.

      I launch MAAATE! Bribe Proofing the Public Purse Against Good Blokes at South Brisbane on State Election Eve and I have a book signing at North Lakes on Election Day.

MAAATE! Bribe Proofing the Public Purse Against Good Blokes, published by Bent Banana Books will be available worldwide in paperback and eBook From November 25.

Launch and signing

MAAATE! - Bribe Proofing the Public Purse Against Good Blokes by Bernie Dowling

Date: Friday, November 24, 5.30pm – 7pm.

Place: Croquet Club Community Hall in Musgrave Park, 91 Cordelia Street, South Brisbane.

Brisbane City Councillor Jonathan Sri will launch the book.

Book Signing

Dymocks North Lakes, Westfield

November 25, 10.30am to 12.30pm.

This is old and corny, with fuzzy vision, but it holds a strong kernel of truth.