Annastacia Palaszczuk defends delay in launching integrity probe

Annastacia Palaszczuk has defended the delay in launching a probe into the integrity of her government, as questions are raised about the previous political donations of the man set to lead the review.

Annastacia Palaszczuk has defended her delay in launching a review into the integrity of the government and insists she will leave the detail of the investigation to the man leading it.

As revealed exclusively by The Courier-Mail on Friday, Ms Palaszczuk announced Emeritus Professor Peter Coaldrake will undertake a four-month and “broad-reaching” review into the culture and accountability in Queensland’s public service agencies and entities.

Ms Palaszczuk acknowledged he would not have unfettered access to witnesses and bureaucrats but pledged to make public the report and act on its recommendations.

The Premier said Mr Coaldrake would not have the power to compel witnesses “at this stage” but he would have the choice to take submissions from public servants.

“I’m leaving that entirely up to him,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at a press conference on the Speakers Green in Brisbane's Parliament House. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Whistleblower protections will be granted for people speaking with Mr Coaldrake and hoped he would “go and engage with people” within the bureaucracy.

“I would hope that he does random samples as well, I think it’s really important to get a snapshot of the public service and also to the interaction between the public service and the executive,” she said.

After weeks of resisting calls for an inquiry, Ms Palaszczuk declared her change of heart came after consulting with Queenslanders.

“I want to assure Queenslanders that I have been listening and I’ve listened and my government absolutely intends to act,” she said.

Peter Coaldrake will head up the probe into integrity concerns within the state government.

“I’ve said very publicly that we could do better and you’ve asked me how could you have done better?

“I’ve thought about this long and hard, I’ve spoken with my colleagues and we have put in place this review.”

Ms Palaszczuk also defended Mr Coaldrake’s historic donations to the Labor Party, declaring she was not aware of them but remaining “absolutely confident that he will do a thorough and effective job”.

Integrity Commissioner Nikola Stepanov welcomed the news of the wide-ranging review and, in particular, its focus on the nature of interactions between the executive, public sector and the state’s integrity bodies.

She backed Professor Peter Coaldrake’s appointment to lead the review, saying his “deep knowledge and understanding of the Queensland public sector” made him a good fit.

“This is an important first step,” she said of the review.

“I note that the review will focus on the need for system-level reforms and will not seek to resolve individual complaints.

“That is appropriate for a review which does not have the full powers of a Commission of Inquiry.

“While the review will not seek to resolve individual complaints, in my view it is important that individuals be given the opportunity to be heard as part of the review process, and that they be able to do so without fear of any repercussions.

“I hope that the terms of reference will afford Professor Coaldrake the widest possible scope to conduct his review, in the public interest.”

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has criticised the review.

“Every step the Palaszczuk Government has taken throughout the integrity crisis has been an attempt to relieve pressure and avoid the genuine scrutiny of a Royal Commission,” he said.

“Another review conducted by a person who donated to the Labor Party ahead of the last election is not the Royal Commission we need.”