Annastacia Palaszczuk responds to growing Qld integrity crisis

As the crisis gripping her government deepens, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has stuck by her decision to refer the outgoing Integrity Commissioner to a parliamentary committee, claiming it would have been “negligent” to do otherwise.

Annastacia Palaszczuk has stood by her decision to refer outgoing Integrity Commissioner Nikola Stepanov to a parliamentary committee – insisting it would have been “negligent” to do otherwise.

Responding to reports in The Sunday Mail today, the Premier revealed she had received advice from the Solicitor-General before making the referral to the committee.

The referral related to an allegation of credit card misconduct and unspecified bullying.

It came 16 days after Nikola Stepanov met with the Premier’s director-general to raise her own allegations, of interference in her office, including a raid and the wiping of a laptop.

Delivering pre-prepared remarks at a press conference, Ms Palaszczuk said there were “limits” about what she could say.

“The (parliamentary) Economics and Governance Committee has oversight of the Integrity Commissioner,” she said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Dan Peled

Dr Nikola Stepanov. Picture: Liam Kidston

“When matters with her office were raised with me, I referred them to the committee.

“I did that based on Solicitor-General advice. The Solicitor-General advised me that that was the right course of action, and that is the right thing to do.

“Certain matters relating to this complaint have been referred to the CCC, which continues its investigation.

“I think it would be helpful if the CCC could provide an update to the public on this investigation.”

Ms Palaszczuk said it would have been “absolutely negligent” if she had not acted on the advice from the Solicitor-General – insisting she had done “everything right as Premier”.

When asked who had informed her of the matters she raised with the committee, Ms Palaszczuk initially said it was “irrelevant” – but later suggested she could not say who because she was bound by law.

Ms Palaszczuk said she respected the Office of the Integrity Commissioner, as well as Dr Stepanov herself.

She stressed she never wanted Dr Stepanov removed from her job – saying she had full faith in the job that she was doing.

“I have personally no issues with the Integrity Commissioner,” she said.