Opinion: Qld’s latest integrity crisis calls for Fitzgerald inquiry 2.0

Each day for the past week has revealed a scandal that in any other era would have triggered an investigation and ministerial sackings, writes Opposition Leader David Crisafulli.

The integrity inferno engulfing Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and her ministers goes to the heart of allegations of corruption at the highest levels of government.

The past week has been the darkest for transparency in over three decades since moonlight was replaced with sunlight in our state.

Each day for the past week has resulted in a scandal that in any other era would have, on their own, triggered an immediate investigation and ministerial sackings.

Under the cover of Covid-19, Premier Palaszczuk views these explosive revelations as a media issue she can ride out, rather than a corruption issue she must stamp out.

The Housing Minister has been deliberately slippery when pretending the State Archivist left of his own accord. It’s now alleged she attempted to have this same independent officer change a report to protect a factional ally. She must be sacked.

Contrary to the assurances of the Premier, it’s almost certain the full report by the State Archivist into Minister Mark Bailey’s cover up of his private email use was never seen by the CCC. At the very least he must step aside, as he previously did, while the matter is reinvestigated.

Back in the late 1980s, the Fitzgerald inquiry was launched following media reports of police corruption. It didn’t end with “the force”.

The Fitzgerald inquiry, one of the most significant inquiries in Australia’s history, was later charged with further investigation of political corruption.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk faces a deepening integrity crisis. Picture: Sarah Marshall/NCA NewsWire

Prosecutions were made, ministers were jailed, and corruption-busting agencies were established. It changed the political landscape, not only in Queensland, but nationally.

There is no question a royal-commission-style inquiry (or a commission of inquiry, as they are known in Queensland) must be launched to investigate the explosive and damning claims of the most senior bureaucrats charged with holding this government to account.

The Premier parrots former leader Anna Bligh’s rhetoric that the CCC is a standing Royal Commission. The CCC is without a permanent chair and is itself facing the need for serious reform. It’s under the current framework that Minister’s have trashed the reputation not just of their Government but our State.

Shocking claims of interference in the duties of both the former State Archivist and the Integrity Commissioner, deleted information off a laptop, and the resignation of the CCC’s chair is just the beginning.

So many questions are unanswered.

Queenslanders must have faith in their leaders, they must trust they are looking out for their best interests and they must know that those in charge are being held to account.

It’s what they deserve.

When a government gives up on integrity, they give up on governing for the people they’ve been elected to represent in favour of their mates.

The Premier must immediately launch a royal-commission-style inquiry into the integrity inferno engulfing her government.

Anything short of a Fitzgerald inquiry 2.0 is a cop-out.

David Crisafulli is Queensland Opposition Leader