‘Stuff you see in the Kremlin’: Cloud over integrity bodies as Opposition calls for probe

A cloud hangs over the work and oversight of two of Queensland’s public sector watchdogs amid calls for a probe into alleged interference in the office of lobbying regulator Nikola Stepanov.

LNP Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has declared Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has “no other choice” but to order an inquiry into the Public Service Commission’s actions during an investigation by the regulator into potential unlawful lobbying.

Unlike the CCC or Integrity Commission, which have oversight from a parliamentary committee, the Public Service Commission is ultimately responsible to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.Credit: Dan Peled / Getty Images

Dr Stepanov, the state’s Integrity Commissioner, had raised complaints with the Crime and Corruption Commission last year about the seizure of mobile phones and laptops, and altering of security permissions to her office by the PSC, which has budgetary authority over her agency.

This week, New Corp reported that Dr Stepanov had been seeking approval from the PSC for forensic examination of a laptop — and also raised it with the department of Ms Palaszczuk, to whom the PSC reports — before it was taken and wiped without her knowledge or consent.

The developments, including news of Dr Stepanov would leave the role part-way through her second three-year term in July after accepting a new role in November, came the same week CCC chair Alan MacSporran resigned from his role under mounting pressure over recent failed prosecutions.

Both have placed a spotlight around matters of integrity the Palaszczuk government leaned on during the campaign leading to its election in 2015.

LNP Opposition Leader David Crisafulli says the Premier has “no other choice” but to ensure an independent investigation into the matters.Credit: Matt Dennien

Asked on Thursday whether he supported Dr Stepanov’s call for the investigation into the PSC’s actions, Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the Crime and Corruption Commission was considering the matter.

“That is an independent body investigating this matter and so it seems to me that that request has already been fulfilled,” he said.

Mr Crisafulli had earlier told reporters the laptop allegations were “the sort of stuff you see in the Kremlin” and demanded a formal inquiry.

“The inquiry must include a full and open investigation into why the office of the Integrity Commissioner was raided,” he said.

“The actions of the Premier’s office must be included in this inquiry.

“If the Premier values integrity, she will agree that we must have this inquiry. There is no other choice.”

Ms Palaszczuk was unable to say this week if she was aware the laptop examination request had been raised with her department.

The watchdog has declined to outline its progress on the complaint.

Unlike the CCC or Integrity Commissioner, the PSC does not have formal oversight from a parliamentary committee. Instead, it is ultimately responsible to the Premier.

A five-yearly review of the Integrity Commissioner recently recommended better independence for the agency with control of its staffing, which the government will respond to after its consideration by the economics and governance committee.

It comes as the government prepares to outline its response to sweeping recommendations from the parliamentary crime and corruption committee report into the watchdog’s handling of the Logan council case, including a fresh inquiry with the powers of a royal commission.

Griffith University professor and Transparency International Australia board member AJ Brown said until the CCC outlined findings or reasons for not taking an investigation further, questions about the independence of the Integrity Commissioner’s office were unresolved.

Meanwhile, the government’s response to the PCCC report needed to be managed carefully to ensure confidence in the agency and avoid “serious long-term implications”, Professor Brown said.

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