Scott Driscoll

Scott Nicolaus Driscoll (born 16 April 1975) is a former Australian politician and a businessman. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland from March 2012 until November 2013, holding the seat of Redcliffe. He was also Executive Director and then elected National President of peak national industry association, the United Retail Federation.

This article is about the Australian politician. For other people, see Scott Driscoll (disambiguation).

Scott Driscoll
Member of the Queensland Parliament for Redcliffe
In office 24 March 2012 – 19 November 2013
Preceded by	Lillian van Litsenburg
Succeeded by	Yvette D'Ath
Personal details
Born	Scott Nicolaus Driscoll (1975-04-16) 16 April 1975 Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia
Political party	Liberal National (2012–2013) Independent (2013)
Profession	Business, politics.

Industry association leadership

Driscoll was executive director and then elected president of the United Retail Federation. He oversaw the rebranding of organisation and expanded its membership footprint and political influence beyond Queensland and onto a national level.

Political career

Driscoll was elected to the Legislative Assembly at the 2012 state election representing the Liberal National Party of Queensland in the Brisbane-area seat of Redcliffe.[1] He defeated Labor incumbent Lillian van Litsenburg with a swing of 15.67%, turning the previously marginal seat into a safe LNP seat.

Driscoll was the subject of complaints of official misconduct referred to the Crime and Misconduct Commission in November 2012, followed by complaints of fraud to the Queensland Police.[2][3] It was alleged that he secretly controlled the taxpayer-funded Moreton Bay Regional Community Association and had funnelled $2600 in consultancy fees each week to his wife. It was also claimed that he used his electorate office to continue his work with the Queensland Retail Traders and Shopkeepers Association, and that his wife had a contract with the retailers' body worth $350,000 a year. Although Premier Campbell Newman initially stood by Driscoll, he personally recommended that Driscoll be suspended from the LNP after concluding his failure to provide a "fulsome and precise" explanation of the affair had become a distraction.[4]

On 25 March 2013, he was suspended from the LNP.[4] After the LNP executive initiated proceedings to have him expelled from the party, Driscoll resigned from the party the following month and subsequently sat as an independent.[5]

His home was raided by the CMC in May 2013.[6] Driscoll's wife was charged with fraud and perjury as a result of the investigation.[7]

The misconduct allegations were referred to the Queensland Parliament Ethics Committee in June 2013.[8] While the committee's deliberations were underway, Driscoll more or less ceased attending parliament; he showed up for only a few sessions to avoid having his seat automatically declared vacant. This, combined with other factors, prompted Newman to demand that the legislature take the unprecedented step of expelling Driscoll. Annastacia Palaszczuk, leader of the Labor opposition, criticised Newman for his initial resolute support of Driscoll.[9]

On 19 November 2013, Driscoll was found guilty of 42 counts of contempt of Parliament, four counts of failing to register interests and one count of misleading the House. The Ethics Committee recommended that:[10][11]

• he be fined $84,000 for contempt;
• he be fined $4,000 for failing to register interests;
• he be fined $2,000 for misleading the House; and
• the Legislative Assembly move to expel Driscoll from the chamber and declare the seat of Redcliffe vacant "to protect the honour and dignity of the Legislative Authority".

The final report found that nothing short of expulsion was appropriate because Driscoll had, by his actions, "brought odium on the Legislative Assembly as an institution" and had demonstrated "a want of honesty and probity not fitting a Member of the House".[11] Newman said that Driscoll had committed a "breathtaking, staggering deception on this house and the people of Queensland".[12]

Driscoll resigned from Parliament later that day, citing health reasons.[13] However, both major parties had indicated they would support an expulsion motion, making it all but certain that Driscoll would be ejected from the chamber.[11]

On 21 November 2013, Driscoll was summoned to the Bar of the House to explain his actions. His solicitor, Peter Russo, spoke on his behalf and acknowledged that Driscoll had made errors in judgement, but would have corrected his interests register and the record if not for his ill health (Driscoll announced he suffered from bipolar disorder). He asked that the fine be reduced to $12,000. The Assembly was unmoved, and voted to fine him the recommended $90,000.[14] The fine was paid in full the following day.[12] The resulting 2014 Redcliffe by-election saw Labor reclaim the seat on a large swing.[15]

In October 2014, Driscoll was charged with 16 offences including fraud and soliciting secret commissions.[16]

As of 2016, he lived in a garage and his wife is recognised by the authorities as her husband's carer.[17]

On 25 November 2016 Driscoll, pleaded guilty on 15 fraud charges. Driscoll, falsified meeting minutes of the Queensland Retail Traders and Shopkeepers Association and took secret commissions while with the group.[18] On 10 March 2017 Driscoll was convicted to serve at least 18 months in prison after being sentenced to six years’ jail for fraud. He will be eligible for parole on 6 September 2018.[19]

Intimidation claims

Bruce Mills, a former associate, says he was intimidated by Driscoll, and attempted suicide as a result of that intimidation.[20][21]

References

1. "Driscoll, Scott Nicolaus". Former Members Biographies. Queensland Parliament. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
2. "CMC assessment of a complaint against Scott Driscoll MP". 19 March 2013.
3. "MP for Redcliffe Scott Driscoll faces investigation by CMC and police over allegations of fraud and misconduct". Courier-Mail. 24 April 2013.
4. Calligeros, Marissa (25 March 2013). "Embattled MP suspended from LNP". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 29 November 2013.
5. "Scott Driscoll resigns from LNP". Brisbane Times. 19 April 2013.
6. "Home of controversial Redcliffe MP raided by Crime and Misconduct Commission". Courier-Mail. 11 May 2013.
7. "Wife of former Queensland MP Scott Driscoll charged with fraud, perjury". ABC News. 29 November 2013.
8. "Redcliffe MP Scott Driscoll allegations referred to Parliament's ethics committee". ABC News. 13 June 2013.
9. 'I want Driscoll gone'. Seven News Brisbane, 11 September 2013.
10. "Ethics Committee Report No. 139" (PDF). Parliament of Queensland. 19 November 2013.
11. "Scott Driscoll should be expelled from parliament: ethics committee". Brisbane Times. 19 November 2013.
12. "Scott Driscoll pays $90,000 fine to Queensland Parliament". Brisbane Times. 11 February 2014.
13. "Redcliffe MP Scott Driscoll resigns from Qld Parliament". ABC News. 20 November 2013.
14. "Scott Driscoll fined $90,000 for contempt". Brisbane Times. 21 November 2013.
15. "New Redcliffe MP says result proves voters angry with Newman". 22 February 2014.
16. "Former LNP MP Scott Driscoll charged with fraud, soliciting commissions". Courier-Mail. 7 October 2014.
17. "Emma Driscoll pleads guilty to fraud before trial starts". 26 September 2016.
18. "Scott Driscoll pleads guilty on 15 fraud charges". ABC News. 25 November 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
19. "Disgraced former MP Scott Driscoll sentenced to six years' jail". The Courrier Mail. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
20. "Former ally testifies to QIRC that Scott Driscoll threatened him over turning against the MP". Courier-Mail. 25 June 2013.
21. "Scott Driscoll's threats 'led to suicide bid'". Brisbane Times. 20 January 2016.

Parliament of Queensland
Preceded by Lillian van Litsenburg	Member for Redcliffe 2012–2013	Succeeded by Yvette D'Ath