Qld integrity crisis: Annastacia Palaszczuk dismisses ‘b***h’ claims

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has told two senior public servants to “get back to work” amid claims of an alleged misogynistic slur.

The Premier has told two warring watchdogs to sort their issues out after one claimed she had been called a “b***h” and the other raised concerns over the “psychological safety” of staff under her.

Annastacia Palaszczuk referred to an extraordinary, heated and public spat between the Integrity Commissioner and the head of the Public Service Commission as a “he said, she said”, saying she supports both senior officials but that they should “sit in a room” and sort out their differences.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk addresses the media on Monday. Picture: 7 News

The incredible direction followed Dr Nikola Stepanov telling a parliamentary committee Rob Setter had called her a “b***h on a witch hunt” during a 2018 phone call, and Mr Setter’s absolute denial that he had done so.

He said he was “appalled and saddened” that Dr Stepanov had used parliamentary privilege to make the claim and stated his own long-running concerns “about allegations raised regarding the psychological safety of some staff” in her office without explaining any further.

Dr Stepanov made the bombshell allegation during a parliamentary committee hearing probing the findings of a strategic review that has recommended her office be made independent of the PSC.

Integrity Commissioner Dr Nikola Stepanov in parliament on Monday. Picture: Liam Kidston

The woman in charge of giving integrity advice to senior politicians and public servants became emotional when questioned about a report in The Sunday Mail that she had been referred to as a “b***h on a witch hunt” by a senior bureaucrat.

LNP Ninderry MP Dan Purdie was initially made to withdraw the offensive term but rephrased, asking whether she had ever been the subject of “misogynistic language”, similar to what was reported in the media.

Dr Stepanov replied: “I do confirm that I have had comments of that nature, including, said to me.”

“I support a modern public service where women and men, particularly those emerging as leaders, are not subject to those kinds of gender-based slurs,” she said.

Mr Purdie asked who had called her that, reminding her she had the protection of parliamentary privilege.

“I was called that term by the Public Sector Commission chief executive,” Dr Stepanov said. “I had already heard it, but then I was called that term by him in a phone call on or about 4 of April 2018.”

Public Service Commission chief Robert Setter on Monday. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Setter responded by calling a press conference at which he held back tears while reading a pre-written statement and taking no questions.

“I am appalled and saddened at what the Integrity Commissioner under parliamentary privilege claimed I said to her in 2018,” he said.

“I am appalled because it is not behaviour that I consider appropriate – ever.

“I deny absolutely making any misogynistic comments to or about the Integrity Commissioner at any time.”

He said Dr Stepanov had never raised the issue with him directly and he wasn’t aware of any complaints.

As the employer of staff for the Integrity Commission office, Mr Setter said he had been concerned for some time “about allegations raised regarding the psychological safety of some staff”.

“Where there are matters relating to the Integrity Commissioner herself, I have offered the information available through the appropriate channels for consideration and advice in accordance with my statutory obligations,” he said. “I cannot make further comment on matters that are currently under CCC investigations.”

Ms Palaszczuk told the pair to “get back to work” and that she had better things to deal with. She said she had not been aware of Dr Stepanov’s allegation and said she did not know if her Director-General Rachel Hunter had been aware, saying journalists should ask her themselves.

A spokeswoman for Ms Hunter declined to answer “given matters under consideration by the CCC”.

The Premier dismissed the spat as “argy bargy” and suggested the senior officials “sit in a room and have a full and frank discussion”, potentially with the help of a mediator.

“Honestly they’re both grown up, I’ve got better things to deal with in terms of people who were impacted by the floods out there and I think the public would rightly want me to say settle your differences and let’s get on with doing our jobs and that applies to both of them,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk (left) said she supported both Mr Setter and Dr Stepanov but had spoken to neither about their concerns.

Asked what she thought about Dr Stepanov’s claim against Mr Setter, Ms Palaszczuk said nobody should be called names and everyone should be respectful, but said wasn’t getting into a “he said, she said”.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said he was sad and disappointed after watching the Premier’s press conference – accusing Ms Palaszczuk of a lack of judgment.

“The government is now so beset by an integrity crisis that it’s now at war with itself,” he said. “And the Premier’s solution is to tell an alleged victim to get in a room with the alleged perpetrator. There is only one solution to this – and it’s not to get in a room. It is to call a Royal Commission to get to the bottom of an integrity crisis that is burning this government to a crisp.”

Meanwhile the Premier said she had sought legal advice and that Dr Stepanov’s resignation date remained July 4 despite Dr Stepanov offering to stay until December.