A breakdown of what happened during that last session for everyone following at home:
Opposition Deputy Leader Jarrod Bleijie made some serious allegations against former Parole Board President Michael Byrne, who resigned from his role mid-year.
“The Opposition's being told by whistleblowers, that the elements of Mr Byrne's resignation alleged to have involved allowances being paid by associates of Mr Byrne's in the parole board or the department that he had a close personal or intimate relationship with," he said.
Mr Bleijie asked Corrective Services Minister Nikki Boyd, “are you aware of that?”
“No,” Ms Boyd said.
Mr Bleijie pressed Ms Boyd on the reason behind Mr Byrne’s resignation.
Ms Boyd told Mr Bleijie he should ask Mr Byrne the reason.
“When I met with him in June (12th), I told him that I wanted a parole board that was well managed, operating effectively, and one that the community had confidence in,” Ms Boyd said.
“He didn't tend to his resignation to me in that meeting, and I did not ask for his resignation in that meeting.”
Mr Bleijie also asked Queensland Corrective Service Commissioner Paul Stewart if he was “aware of any allegations of inappropriate use of allowances or travel allowance or any allegations made against the former Parole Board President involving a close friendship or association he may have had with someone in the department or the parole board?”
Mr Stewart said it was not appropriate to discuss matters before the Crime and Corruption Commission before the estimates committee, but did not confirm whether Mr Byrne had been referred to the CCC.
Mr Bleijie argued that the parliament clerk had informed him that it was legal to discuss CCC matters before the committee.
“Did you or anyone refer those particular, of those allegations (regarding Mr Byrne) raised tonight, to the crime and corruption commission?
Mr Stewart refused to answer, saying he was “of the opinion that I could not disclose that without breaching a legislative requirement of the crime and corruption commission”.
Mr Bleijie became increasingly frustrated at the lack of direct answers, prompting committee Chair Peter Russo MP to adjourn the hearing.
Upon the committee's return, Mr Bleijie continued his line of questioning to both Ms Boyd and Mr Stewart.
“I am giving the Commissioner now knowing the legislative facts, one more opportunity to tell this committee the truth,” Mr Bleijie said, before reminding Ms Boyd about Section 57 of the Criminal Code.
“(It’s) ministers and witnesses giving false testimony to ethics. It's what Gordon Nuttall went to jail for,” he said.
Ms Russo warned Mr Bleijie to move onto a new subject.
“This is an absolute joke. The minister can't even say whether she knew, it was aware of it and has referred it,” Mr Blejie said, before accusing Ms Boyd of failing to report the allegations to the corruption watchdog.
“I submit the Minister knew about it and she did not refer to the CCC under her obligations under the legislation.”
Mr Bleijie was then removed from the estimates hearing.
Ms Boyd made a final statement on the matter at the end of the estimates session.
"The former Parole Board President originally proposed a resignation date of July 12 and in discussions with my office agreed to bring that date forward to July 4,” she said.
"I'd further like to reiterate that any allegations of the nature raised by the Opposition would be referred to the appropriate body for investigation.
"It would not be appropriate for me to discuss matters that are before the CCC.
“If the Opposition is in possession of any allegations of wrongdoing by anyone, I'd urge them to refer those matters to the appropriate body so they can be properly investigated."
-Taylah Fellows
