A stand against the multiple failures of the state government can be taken by refusing to back Labor at the ballot box

Queenslanders can make a stand against the multiple failures of the state government by refusing to back Labor in next month’s federal election, writes Des Houghton. Here’s why.

The time has come for Queenslanders to turn the federal election into a protest vote against the “toxic” Palaszczuk government for its abuse of power. Integrity, transparency and accountability have gone out the window under Labor.

In parliament, some of Palaszczuk’s ministers have been accused of corruption.

I thought it was odd that Annastacia Palaszczuk suddenly took a holiday when Anthony Albanese hit the election trail here.

Could it be that he did not want to be seen with her? Could it be he did not want to face awkward questions about wrongdoing and accountability in Queensland?

I might be reading too much into the Premier’s absence, but I have my suspicions.

During Anthony Albanese’s whirlwind campaign blitz of Queensland this week, Premier Palaszczuk was missing in action. Picture: Jason Edwards

Palaszczuk’s problems are Albanese’s problems. If she has integrity issues, so does he. With the state election a long way off, voters have an opportunity to strike down ALP candidates at the federal poll on May 21.

Quote of the week went to Albanese during the brilliant Sky News leaders’ debate. “I want an anti-corruption commission that holds the political system to account,’’ he said piously.

If Albanese wants to set up an Independent Commission Against Corruption, its first case with public hearings must be the interrogation of Queensland Labor ministers and senior public servants who parliament was told have repeatedly flouted the law.

Albanese’s corruption commission must also examine truth in advertising laws and possible breaches of telecommunications laws where Labor ads make phony claims of cashless debit cards for pensioners.

Labor liar, pants on fire.

Australian Labor Party have been on a scare campaign about the cashless welfare card for pensioners, which the Prime Minister has reassured has never been on the cards.

Here is a good place to remind voters that Albanese for years supported a retiree tax for more affluent Australians. Albanese’s federal corruption watchdog might also investigate Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission facing serious cases of wrongdoing against regional councils in its fruitless quest for scalps. I confess I am still mystified as to why the CCC so often fails to probe cases ofobvious corruption. And I have sympathy for Brisbane barrister Greg Williams, a vocal CCC critic who does not like the way the commission handballs serious complaints back to the very departments accused of wrongdoing.

“We often remain spectators and nothing changes,” he said.

Williams says those who attempt to expose corruption are penalised. He also says sections of the police force have been politicised.

“Flagrant breaches of the Criminal Code dealing with abuse of office by government officials are rarely, if ever, investigated,” he said.

Williams said public servants or their masters who deliberately delay the release of Right to Information searches or provide misleading information may be guilty of an offence.

Senior public servants, press secretaries and public servants may also run foul of the Public Sector Ethics Act, which defines integrity and impartiality, accountability and transparency and “promoting the public good”.

Albanese might not recall the allegations against the Palaszczuk government by its own senior officers so I’m happy to recap for him.

Integrity Commissioner Dr Nikola Stepanov claimed her laptop was seized from her office. Picture: Liam Kidston

Former integrity commissioner Nikola Stepanov said her laptop seized from her office had the contents “deleted without my knowledge or consent”. In evidence to a Parliamentary hearing she told how she was referred to as a “bitch on a witch hunt”.

Former state archivist Mike Summerell alleged serious interference. He claims the state government ordered him to falsify reports.

Former Legal Services Commissioner Bob Brittan called for a far-reaching inquiry into the state government’s integrity saying he was “bewildered” that ethical issues he raised on the job were ignored.

Auditor-General Brendan Worrall advocated law changes to bolster his independence amid concerns the state government holds too much power over his office. Former director of forensic disability and whistleblower Vanda Wieczorkowski presents more evidence that there is an integrity crisis burning through the Queensland government.

Former ministerial staff claim private emails were regularly used by ministers and staff for official government business and were often deleted to circumvent Right to Information searches.

Howard Whitton, the principal author of the state’s Integrity Act has joined others in calling for an independent inquiry. Fiona Simpson, Opposition integrity spokeswoman, told me nothing short of a full-blown Royal Commission into the integrity failures was required to restore confidence in government. I agree.

I’m sure that great integrity campaigner Anthony Albanese would also agree.