Qld: Magistrate accused of exposing himself goes on sick leave
By Janelle Miles
BRISBANE, Dec 27 AAP - A Queensland magistrate who allegedly exposed himself to a juniorfemale staffer has taken sick leave as pressure mounts on Attorney-General Rod Welfordto move for his dismissal.
Mr Welford is considering whether to apply to the Supreme Court to have the magistrate,who cannot be named, removed from the bench.
A Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) investigation recommended in June that themagistrate be disciplined over allegations he exposed himself to a clerk in his chamberstwo years ago.
Opposition justice spokesman Lawrence Springborg said today the magistrate should havebeen stood down as soon as the accusations were made.
He said delays by the CMC and the Attorney General placed a cloud over decisions madeby the magistrate concerned, particularly those involving sexual misconduct matters.
"When you're under a cloud yourself, to then be hearing matters of a similar nature,is that appropriate? I think most reasonable people would say no, it's not," he told AAP.
Mr Springborg has complained to the Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee aboutdelays in the CMC's investigation of the magistrate's alleged lewd behaviour.
He's also called for Mr Welford's resignation over his handling of the matter, accusingthe government of a cover-up.
But Mr Welford has called on the opposition to respect due process and the separation of powers.
He is expected to decide in the new year whether to ask the Supreme Court for the magistrate'sdismissal.
AAP jhm/wjf/de
KEYWORD: MAGISTRATE
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