Attorney-General signs off on ‘friend’ Trad’s legal support, refuses to reveal costs

Queensland’s Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman has become the latest Labor figure to hide the taxpayer-funded fees for former deputy premier Jackie Trad’s legal action, with questions over why the indemnity was signed off in the first place.

Taxpayers are again being kept in the dark about the cost of Jackie Trad’s legal action amid new revelations her application for the state to bankroll her legal fees was approved by friend and factional ally, Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman.

In a tense exchange in estimates on Wednesday, Ms Fentiman repeatedly declined to say how much it had cost taxpayers to provide legal indemnity to Ms Trad in her attempt to suppress a Crime and Corruption Commission report into the appointment of Frankie Carroll as under treasurer.

In a significant development, questions have also been raised about why the Palaszczuk government signed-off on Ms Trad’s request for taxpayer support to launch legal proceedings – which the LNP argues is against the rules.

Ms Fentiman confirmed herself and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had signed-off on indemnity support for Ms Trad during the Crime and Corruption Commission’s investigation into Mr Carroll’s appointment.

Former Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman. . Picture: Jodie Richte

However, the Attorney-General also revealed on Wednesday she approved a second indemnity application for Ms Trad to attempt to suppress the CCC report after receiving advice from Crown solicitors.

Shadow Attorney-General Tim Nicholls argued legal indemnity could not to be offered to launch, rather than respond, to civil legal proceedings and questioned Ms Fentiman on why it was granted to Ms Trad.

“In this instance it’s being used as a sword to prevent the release of a report,” Mr Nicholls said.

“On what basis did you consider it appropriate to fund a private legal action by Jackie Trad to keep the CCC report secret, because it was your decision?”

Ms Fentiman said the indemnity was granted after advice provided by the Crown solicitor noted it was “in the guidelines and should be approved”.

“The matter is before the court, I’m not going to discuss a matter in here that would otherwise be contempt of court,” Ms Fentiman said.

Former Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman have a “close relationship”. Picture: AAP/Darren England

Mr Nicholls questioned whether it was appropriate for Ms Fentiman – who he noted had a “close relationship” with and holidayed in the same places as Ms Trad – to sign off on her legal indemnity.

The Attorney-General hit back, declaring it was her job to consider such applications.

“Like every other Attorney-General before me who has had to provide indemnity for colleagues and friends,” she said. “I do my job.”

Unusually, taxpayers are paying for Ms Trad’s attempt to suppress the CCC’s report while also funding the CCC’s attempts to have it released.

Ms Fentiman repeatedly declined to reveal the accruing cost of Ms Trad’s fight to prevent the report’s release and insisted it would be provided when the case was finalised.

Her stunning refusal came despite her department moments earlier revealing it had spent $109,691 in another case involving former Public Trustee Peter Carne – despite that matter also not being finalised.

After repeatedly asking for the current cost of Ms Trad’s matter, Mr Nicholls accused Ms Fentiman of being evasive on providing the cost which he speculated could be up to $15,000 per day.

“You either can’t or are refusing to provide an answer to the committee,” he said.

During the committee hearing CCC chairman Bruce Barbour declined to answer questions about why the CCC requested its report into Mr Carroll’s appointment to be published.

“I’m sorry, but I’m prevented from discussing any issues in relation to that,” Mr Barbour said.

“There is a court order in relation to matters associated with that.

“My advice is that I should honour the terms of that court order and that’s what I propose to do.”