Editorial: A proper inquiry the only way forward

Seven years after Annastacia Palaszczuk was elected on a platform of transparency and accountability, an independent inquiry would be consistent with her very first promises.

It is time for Annastacia Palaszczuk to call an inquiry into the integrity issues raised in recent weeks about her Government.

It was seven years ago on Monday the Premier was elected to the job on a platform of restoring the faith of Queenslanders in the integrity, transparency and accountability of government.

An inquiry into the issues raised over the past few weeks – with a view to clearing the air and ensuring there is nothing awry – is, then, surely entirely consistent with her very first promises as Premier.

Indeed, if Ms Palaszczuk still believes in those core values then surely an inquiry is now the necessary course of action. She would also surely welcome such a probe as a way to clear the air of this stench that is now emanating from her government, warranted or not.

After weeks now of almost daily revelations about concerns raised by public servants being ignored or covered up, we are well and truly overdue for answers.

To call for an inquiry is in some respects not in our interests at The Courier-Mail, with the drip-feed of revelations providing good copy for our website and newspaper. But as Queenslanders too our higher priority is this great state of ours, and the way it is being administered.

Not calling an inquiry will only inevitably lead to more public servants turning to the media to air their concerns and complaints – whether justified or not. This, in turn, will see the Premier having to front up to questions on issues she does not want to address, is legally unable to respond to, or that she has no personal knowledge of.

An inquiry would allow all these claims to be investigated, and the systemic issues that caused them to be a problem addressed once for all.

Before we go on, however, it must be acknowledged these allegations do not appear baseless.

The first group of claims comes from the former state archivist, who accuses the government of instructing him to delete those parts of his 2017 annual report that reflected poorly on the past behaviours of Minister Mark Bailey.

A second group of claims relates to outgoing integrity commissioner Nikola Stepanov’s allegations that a raid was carried out on her office, and a laptop with sensitive data was seized and files deleted.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday. Picture: Sarah Marshall/NCA NewsWire

The fact these two people have found their voice now and not three or four years ago is irrelevant. Justice should have no time limit. To say, as ministers have started to do so, that these matters happened so long ago they are now irrelevant is at best a weak smokescreen.

We are particularly concerned these allegations point to a cultural problem within the government – one where the executive does not stick to its lane, and where there is an ineffective complaints process for public servants who want to raise issues.

The Premier says complaints can always be made to the Crime and Corruption Commission. She is right. Workplace issues can also be raised with the Industrial Relations Commission. But the thing about these complaints is they sit somewhere between the two – there does not appear to be any evidence yet presented of official corruption or criminal behaviour, but these issues are far more important to our democracy than a dispute over working conditions.

We would therefore suggest a truly independent nonpartisan and suitably qualified person – perhaps one of the CCC commissioners, perhaps an interstate QC – be tasked with two things.

First, to get to the bottom of each of the allegations so far raised – and report back transparently and publicly on their findings. This should include recommendations about changes to procedures and processes if warranted. If any wrongdoing is uncovered it should be referred to the relevant body.

Second, this person should make recommendations about the processes required to ensure there is a safe and independent complaints process for public servants with issues to raise that fall short of the official corruption the CCC should be focused on investigating.

This would therefore not be an investigation into the “vibe” of what is being alleged. Instead, this would be an inquiry into the matters raised – and the serious cultural issues that their raising suggests exists.

Queenslanders want and deserve answers. If Premier Palaszczuk is as committed to integrity as she was when Queenslanders first put their trust in her seven years ago, then an inquiry is the only way forward. If the Premier has nothing to hide, then she has nothing to fear.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details are available here