Former state archivist Mike Summerell demands govt ‘do the right thing’ and hold an integrity inquiry

Former state archivist Mike Summerell has accused the Palaszczuk Government of “putting the political interest above the public interest” in refusing to hold an integrity inquiry.

Former state archivist Mike Summerell has accused the Palaszczuk Government of “putting the political interest above the public interest” in refusing to hold an integrity inquiry, saying “everyone knows” there are problems to fix.

In another statement released on Monday, in which he explains how public servants risk “career suicide” by daring to put the public interest first, Mr Summerell has appealed to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to “do the right thing” and hold the integrity inquiry being demanded.

Former state archivist Mike Summerell.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Has Queensland got a problem … (sic) of course it has … have the inquiry being demanded … let’s have the conversation to air these issues and come out the other side with a truly more effective democracy … stop saying there is nothing to see here … everyone knows there is, stop putting the political interest above the public interest,” it reads.

“Do the right thing.”

He said dedicated, senior public servants were “the norm” and he was sure there were many MPs and ministers with the same mindset.

“But there is a reality to working at a senior level in government which is the issue when the public interest clashes with the political interest,” he said.

“If you are looking to do something that could be viewed negatively politically … even if it is (in) the public interest, the problem becomes significant.”

He said public servants faced a “significant dilemma” when doing the right thing differed from doing the “politically convenient”, but reminded them “as a public servant, you are a servant of the public, you are not a monarch or dictator free to do as you wish”.

“The reality for senior public servants in Queensland however is that isn’t how it works,” he wrote.

“If you are faced with a situation that is ‘negative’ to the government of the day, you have the dilemma – do the right thing or put your career in jeopardy.

“Many will try everything they possibly can to find a compromise … do the right thing, minimise the political damage.

“But they know if they cause political damage, there will be a potential consequence.”

He said most senior public servants in Queensland had five-year contracts, or three-year contracts with the ability to extend by two years.

“Essentially if you are (a) good boy or girl you keep your job,” he said.

“If not, you are likely to pay … that is a significant threat for anyone.

“Unfortunately if you damage the government of the day, that is obviously not going to be viewed positively by the Minister or Government of the day or indeed positively by the public officials above you trying to ensure their own survival.

“As a senior public servant, you know that.”

He said it meant people had to make decisions with the weight of their future employment, their mortgage and the possibility of upsetting powerful people on their mind.

Mr Summerell said public servants, and particularly those in integrity positions, needed to be “truly protected”.

“They need to be able to give frank and fearless advice and not feel they may suffer the consequences if they give an opinion or advice that the government of the day will not like or is embarrassing to them,” he said.

“The five-year contracts need to go for a starter.”

He said integrity officials need “complete independence” operationally and financially so that they could not be “threatened or impeded by those they are seeking to monitor”.

“Democracy needs to have checks and balances when some are given significant power over others,” Mr Summerell wrote.

It’s not the first time public service contracts have been raised as an impediment to frank and fearless advice being offered.

Together Union state secretary Alex Scott told a parliamentary inquiry considering public service employment laws in 2020 that they were a problem.

“We can’t have frank and fearless advice to the government of the day unless we have a permanent public service,” he said.

“If someone has insecure employment, they are less able to stand up to senior management and the government of the day and give them the advice that they don’t want to hear.”

It comes a day after outgoing Integrity Commissioner Nikola Stepanov responded to support for her calls for inquiry by praising the openness with which the issues were now being debated.

“We change by learning about how we can do things better, in the public interest,” her pointed comments said.

“When we don’t square up and face things head on we miss our chance to bring about meaningful change.

“Let’s continue to be brave and have those conversations.”