CCC commission of inquiry: Politicians slammed for weaponising corruption watchdog

The former boss of Queensland’s corruption watchdog has accused both sides of politics of weaponising the crime and corruption watchdog to attack their opponents, while claiming the agency has been sapped of resources.

Former CCC boss Alan MacSporran has accused both sides of politics of weaponising the crime and corruption watchdog to attack their opponents, while claiming the agency has been sapped of resources.

In scathing four page submission to the Commission of Inquiry into the CCC Mr MacSporran also said political attacks had undermined public trust in the agency.

He said “regrettably, it is not uncommon for the CCC to be used by all sides of politics as a weapon against opponents when it is deemed to be advantageous for that purpose”.

“The CCC has openly warned against the practice and advised that if anyone is genuinely concerned that corruption is occurring, they should report their concern to the CCC in confidence so the matter can be appropriately assessed and dealt with confidentially,” he said.

Mr MacSporran sensationally resigned from his post in January seven years after being appointed by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Former CCC boss Alan MacSporran. Photographer: Liam Kidston

At the time, Mr MacSporran said the “relationship between myself and the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee has broken down irretrievably”, following a PCCC report into the watchdog’s handling of an investigation into the Logan City Council.

Less than a week later Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk called a Commission of Inquiry into the CCC, calling the esteemed Tony Fitzgerald out of retirement to run the review.

In his submission, Mr MacSporran said there had been “periods of sustained attacks” on the agency since its formation following the original Fitzgerald Inquiry.

“There have been attempts to wind these reforms back from the time the reforms were implemented following the Fitzgerald report,” Mr MacSporran said.

“These attempts have taken various forms and have to varying degrees sapped resources from the agency, caused stress to staff and undermined public trust in the work of the agency.”

Mr MacSporran also referenced Scott Morrison’s likening of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) as a “kangaroo court”, and his backing of former Premier Gladys Berejiklian while she was under an ongoing investigation.

Mr MacSporran said the CCC had made submission to the PCCC for a funding model where the decisions were made by parliament, which was not endorsed.

“There is no doubt that the capacity of the CCC to fulfil its legislated obligations, depends upon the adequacy of its funding and the simplest way in which the CCC could be rendered ineffectual would be to starve it of necessary funding,” he said.