Jackie Trad stands down from ministerial duties amid CCC probe

Queensland's Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad has stood aside from her ministerial duties after the state’s corruption watchdog launched an investigation into her alleged role in the appointment of a school principal.

Ms Trad announced on Saturday she was standing down from her ministerial duties, which Brisbane Times understands includes all her roles as Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, pending the outcome of the investigation.

Jackie Trad says she is standing down from her ministerial duties amid a CCC probe.Credit: Dan Peled/AAP

“To ensure that this is not a distraction for the Premier and for the Labor government, I advised the Premier last night I would be standing aside from my ministerial duties until the investigation is completed,” she said

“I fully intend on running for the seat of South Brisbane and ensuring strong progressive leadership for our community.”

In a written statement, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she would be taking on all Ms Trad's responsibilities until the CCC investigation was finalised.

"[On Friday night] the Deputy Premier advised me of her decision to stand aside while this investigation proceeds. I accept that her decision is the correct course of action," Ms Palaszczuk said.

That decision means Ms Palaszczuk is now responsible for Treasury as well as her trade portfolio, in addition to all her duties as Premier.

Brisbane Times understands Health Minister Steven Miles, the most senior member of the powerful Labor Left faction in the government after Ms Trad, will now be appointed as an interim Deputy Premier.

LNP Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington called for Ms Trad to be permanently sacked from cabinet over the issue.

"Queensland deserves more than a temporary Treasurer especially during the coronavirus crisis," Ms Frecklington said in a statement.

"We need political stability during the coronavirus crisis."

Ms Trad was referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission in November last year by LNP opposition MP Jarrod Bleijie over allegations she had interfered in the selection process for the principal of the Inner City South State Secondary College.

Ms Trad has always maintained she has not acted inappropriately.

In a short statement on Saturday in which she did not take questions, she reiterated she believed she had done nothing wrong.

“I will cooperate fully with this investigation, it will provide me with an opportunity to set the record straight with this matter,” she said.

“Let me be clear - no applicant to the principal position was known to me in any capacity, personally, political or professional.

“Further I have never expressed a view to anyone on who should fill that role.”

The CCC confirmed on Saturday it had opened an investigation into the matter.

"It is important to note all allegations should be treated as unsubstantiated until a final outcome is reached," the watchdog said in a statement.

"Considering the investigation remains ongoing, it is not appropriate for the CCC to comment further on this matter."

Principal Kirsten Ferdinands was appointed to lead the new school in inner Brisbane last year, despite an expert panel selecting Tracey Cook as its candidate weeks prior.

After Ms Cook was appointed, the position was re-advertised in May 2019 at a higher pay grade after a reappraisal of the initial number of students expected at the school.

Ms Trad has previously admitted to meeting personally with both Ms Cook and Ms Ferdinands during the recruitment period but has always denied interfering in the process.

The CCC had been assessing the matter since it received the referral in November, and made a decision to move forward with an investigation this week.

Ms Palaszczuk's decision to take on the Treasury portfolio echoes former Labor Premier Peter Beattie's decision to take on the position in August 1999 after then Treasurer David Hamill stood aside in the wake of a probe.

Mr Beattie even handed down a budget as acting treasurer in September that year, before Mr Hamill was cleared of wrongdoing and reinstated later that month.