Glaring anomaly in investigation into integrity problems

As with the staging of any public inquiry, the devil is in the detail and the Coaldrake probe into the integrity of the public service is no different. So, writes the editor, it’s disappointing the inquiry will not take individual complaints, which is a glaring anomaly.

As with the staging of any public inquiry, the devil is in the detail and the Coaldrake probe into the integrity of the public service is no different.

The credibility of this inquiry will hinge on the terms of reference and the power to secure in a safe and timely manner important information from whistleblowers.

The Courier Mail has openly applauded premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for finally biting the bullet and calling the review, to be headed up by former Goss Government senior bureaucrat Peter Coaldrake, into “culture and accountability in the State Government’’.

It is well overdue and has the potential, with the right terms of reference and powers, to shine a light on clear dysfunctionality and culture issues within the public service.

Announcing the inquiry, Ms Palaszczuk said Mr Coaldrake would look at six key areas, including, the culture of ethical decision-making and impartial advice, the nature of interactions between integrity bodies, the public service and the Executive, legislation underpinning the existing ethics and integrity framework, the adequacy of systems to prevent ethical, accountability and integrity issues arising, the adequacy of training and the timeliness of the processes to resolve any complaints.

The review is set to run for four months, with an interim report halfway through.

However, crucially and disappointingly, the inquiry will not take individual complaints, a glaring anomaly which runs the risk of not looking at claims from whistleblowers such as former archivist Mike Summerell, who claims controversial sections of his annual report were amended or deleted.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

It also raises the prospect of a lack of scrutiny on claims by integrity commissioner Nikola Stepanov about ongoing interference in her role.

It also raises doubt about other public servants coming forward, and the legal protection they would be afforded if providing testimony.

Other questions centre on Prof Coaldrake’s ability to call people and whether he can compel people to give evidence or ask questions.

Prof Coaldrake, with his vast experience and understanding of the public service, does have the potential to reset the relationships between government and the public services and this is necessary to give confidence back to the many employees who feel wronged.

But Queenslanders will want answers on those pertinent questions which have been raised by whistleblowers.

These go to the fundamental issue around transparency and integrity and deserve to be a part of this inquiry.

Being unable to address those issues – and many more we suspect – is not a pass mark.

Mr Summerell, while welcoming the inquiry, said people needed to be given protections from reprisal for speaking out or the inquiry would be “meaningless.’’

The government has resisted calls for an inquiry for several weeks, with the Opposition repeatedly calling for a full commission of inquiry.

Prof Coaldrake will be able to “talk to whoever he wants to talk to,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
This is very important and Prof Coaldrake should take the Premier at her word.

If his inquiry needs broader scope and parameters to extract evidence, it must be dramatically expanded and given greater legal clout.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli is not as bullish about people coming forward, without fear of reprisals.

“There are brave people who just want their government to operate in an open and transparent way, and nothing short of a royal commission will give these people the whistleblower protection,’’ he says.

The Courier Mail has played a pivotal role in bringing Queenslanders these important integrity transgressions.

We believe they strike at the heart of democracy and must be appropriately resolved.

After a troubled era, it is now up to Prof Coaldrake to ensure full confidence is once again restored to the public service and its relationship with government but this must be a searching investigation, not a whitewash.