FEDERAL MP Stuart Robert will be called as a witness at next month’s Crime and Corruption hearing into the 2016 Gold Coast City Council elections.

The Member for Fadden has been revealed as one of three Gold Coast-based figures to appear on the CCC’s witness list for the first day of the hearings, to be held in Brisbane.

media_camera Stuart Robert. Picture Gary Ramage

Gold Coast Division 4 councillor Kristyn Boulton and lobbyist Simone Holzapfel will also be called.

Their evidence will be heard on Tuesday, April 18.

In a statement issued this afternoon, a spokesman for Mr Robert said: “Mr Robert looks forward to assisting the CCC with their investigation into last year’s Gold Coast City Council elections, particularly given recent revelations of over $37,000 in undeclared CFMEU expenditure provided to a Labor-aligned candidate. In contrast the LNP has properly disclosed all donations.”

The statement refers to allegations mayoral candidate Penny Toland received in-kind support from the CFMEU during the election.

A further six witnesses have also been called for the second and third day relating to the Ipswich and Moreton Bay Regional Council and Ipswich City Council elections.

media_camera Division 4 councillor Kristyn Boulton. Photo: David Clark

The Crime and Corruption Commission will hold a public hearing into possible criminal offences in the March 2016 poll.

A seven-day hearing will be held from April 18 to 28 “as part of an investigation into the conduct of candidates involved in the 2016 local government elections for the Gold Coast City Council, Moreton Bay Regional Council and Ipswich City Council.”

media_camera Simone Holzapfel. Photo supplied

The CCC’s Operation Belcarra is investigating a number of allegations relating to the 2016 local government elections.

The Gold Coast Bulletin has published about 60 reports in the past year under a “Trojan Council” banner, exposing an LNP-bloc during the so-called independent March 19 local government poll.

Originally published as Federal MP to be called by CCC