Editor’s view: Integrity matters not a good look

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk must show the will and wherewithal to pull the State Government out of the grip of the greatest integrity crisis of her tenure.

IT IS not without irony that in the shade of the 30th anniversary of the landmark Fitzgerald Inquiry that the current State Government finds itself in the grip of the greatest integrity crisis of its tenure.

Like we did three decades ago, The Courier-Mail has led the way in exposing most of this activity.

The revelations that Deputy Premier Jackie Trad purchased an investment property smack-bang in the middle of the precinct likely to receive the greatest lift in value because of the construction of the Cross River Rail project demands a thorough investigation by Queensland’s corruption watchdog.

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At best, there is a clear perception of a conflict of interest in Ms Trad’s purchase of a Woolloongabba home through a company she owns with her husband.

The Deputy Premier and Treasurer is the minister in charge of delivering the $7 billion-plus Cross River Rail project, a role she demanded when responsibilities were carved up after Labor’s 2017 election victory.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has an integrity crisis on her hands. Picture: AAP Image/Jono Searle

Ms Trad has apologised for the purchase, admitted it was an error and committed to sell the
three-bedroom home once the Crime and Corruption Commission completes any investigation.

However, in the post-Fitzgerald era, the spectre of a minister profiting from a project that they are in charge of demands to be looked at by independent eyes.

As the person in charge of Queensland’s purse strings, who has an eye over every part of the Government’s program, Ms Trad has a responsibility to act appropriately at all times.

While the Deputy Premier has professed that it was her husband that made the purchase, this excuse is simply not good enough.

Her failure to properly declare the property on State Parliament’s register of members’ interests was an error, but the real problem was the purchase to begin with. It calls into question Ms Trad’s judgment, as well as her understanding of conflicts of interest.

The question arises that if Ms Trad is so sloppy with such important matters of integrity, how is this affecting her ability to manage the rest of her vital portfolio?

It is disappointing, but certainly not surprising, that Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has failed to muster the courage to even vaguely chastise the Deputy Premier over her ill-fated property purchase.

While Ms Trad’s dominance of the internal power structures within Labor certainly explains much of this, perhaps the Premier’s own understanding, or lack of understanding, of conflicts of interest is another factor.

Yesterday’s revelations that a company owned by Ms Palaszczuk’s chief-of-staff and close confidant David Barbagallo received taxpayer-funded aid for the development of an app are nothing short of extraordinary.

While the $270,000 in question is a relatively small amount, the optics are appalling.

Surely someone working at such a senior level of public administration should be excluded from putting their hand out for public monies to help their business endeavours?

The matter might have been declared as required, but it does not pass the pub test.

There was already a cloud over how seriously Ms Palaszczuk took integrity matters, given her reluctance to sack Transport Minister Mark Bailey over his private email scandal.

The issues now swirling around Ms Trad and Mr Barbagallo add to the real concern that Ms Palaszczuk lacks the will and wherewithal to demand decent standards from her own administration.

PATIENTS LEFT TO PAY PRICE

THE pain of surgery, particularly in private hospitals, can go on long after the bandages have come off.

For while patients may be prepared for the out-of pocket surgeon’s fees, it’s the surprise
add-on bills that can hurt the most.

Gap fees for anesthetists, assistant surgeons, pathology tests, scans and medical implants can send bills soaring. Which is why the initiative launched by the Australian Medical Association and Health Minister Greg Hunt is so welcome — and overdue.

For the first time, patients will be able to receive an upfront quote outlining the entire cost of private hospital surgery. It will help people to manage their budgets and presumably, shop around.

The rising cost of health funds, and the ever-increasing gap payments are the major reasons people drop out of health insurance - putting added pressure on the public system.

So while any initiative that could put downward pressure on fees should be welcomed, perhaps we’ll reserve judgment until it is put into action.