Annastacia Palaszczuk learned of interference complaints after story broke in Courier-Mail

Annastacia Palaszczuk only became aware of allegations of interference in the office of the Integrity Commissioner after the story broke in The Courier-Mail last year, rejecting suggestions she should have known sooner.

Annastacia Palaszczuk has revealed she first became aware about the Integrity Commissioner’s complaint alleging interference by the Public Service Commission when The Courier-Mail broke the story in September last year.

But she questioned why she would have known sooner, saying the complaint wasn’t referred to her.

It comes as the Premier insisted again on Monday that it was her obligation under the Act to refer Integrity Commissioner Nikola Stepanov to the parliamentary committee, following Solicitor-General advice, after she received an allegation of credit card misconduct and unspecified bullying.

Annastacia Palaszczuk during a media conference in Brisbane on Monday. Picture: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

“The Solicitor-General had all of the information, the necessary information before him before making the decision to give me the advice that required the referral,” she said.

“I would like to see this issue resolved as quickly as possible.”

Asked whether it was common for her to refer matters that had already been looked at — which this matter had been by the Crime and Corruption Commission — the Premier said she prided herself “in acting in accordance with the law and discharging my legal obligations according to that”.

The Premier again refused to reveal who brought the allegation concerning a credit card and unspecified bullying to her attention, saying she wasn’t able to discuss it.

She said there were matters before the CCC and the parliamentary committee which prevented her from providing details.

“I would love to discuss more details but I would be in contempt of parliament and I would be in breach of some of my legal obligations if I said anything more in relation to those matters,” she said.

Queensland Integrity Commissioner Dr Nikola Stepanov has taken to social media to thank people who have offered her support.

“I said very clearly yesterday I would like these issues resolved as quickly as possible.

“I think that would give the public confidence.”

Economic and Governance Committee chair Linus Power said any correspondence referred to the committee remained a proceeding under Standing Order 211 until the committee made a report to the house.

“As Chair of the Committee I must respect the standing Orders of the Parliament while any issue remains a proceeding of the Committee and refrain from comment on any current proceedings before the Committee,” he said.

“The confidentiality of proceedings section of the standing orders applies to all Members of Parliament.”

Dr Stepanov took to LinkedIn to thank people who reached out in support on Sunday, while again urging people to be “brave”.

“It is entirely to be expected that, as part of any meaningful change process, there will be ebbs and flows,” she said.

“However, those ebbs and flows should not dissuade open and transparent discussions.

“Let’s all continue to be brave.”