‘I will not attack our public service’: Premier hits out over integrity saga

The Premier says Queensland has ‘robust mechanisms and checks’ on integrity after claims were made about the lengths public servants go to make the government look good.

Annastacia Palaszczuk has insisted there are “robust mechanisms and checks” on integrity within the state government as she denied claims public servants were too worried about making the government look good.

The Premier has again resisted calls to launch an inquiry into integrity matters that have come to light this week, instead pointing to the fact Queensland had an Integrity Commissioner and the Crime and Corruption Commission.

And she refused to say whether she was concerned about allegations former state archivist Mike Summerell felt pressured to tone down his 2017 report into Mark Bailey’s private email saga, saying people were entitled to their views.

“Let me say in relation to that report, my understanding is that report was referred to the CCC which was basically the foundation of their inquiry into those allegations,” she said.

“The CCC did a thorough investigation.

“The CCC is a standing royal commission, this is what Queensland has.

“Queensland has robust checks and balances on levels of government.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Sunday. Picture: Richard Walker

The Sunday-Mail today revealed Mr Summerell, whose tenure finished in March 2021, sought advice from Integrity Commissioner Nikola Stepanov complaining of “interference” and pressure to tone down his report.

“It must be stressed there was no attempt to interfere with the investigation itself,” he said.

“However, there were instances where the ability of the state archivist to undertake statutory functions was impeded.”

In 2017 the CCC said it could not identify any evidence pointing to corrupt conduct by Mr Bailey.

The revelation comes after Mr Summerell’s scathing assessment of the inner workings of the Palaszczuk government were revealed this week.

The former state archivist revealed that he believed his contract wasn’t renewed last year because of his personal stance on integrity while claiming there were public servants and politicians who thought it was their right to choose what information to release.

The government has also been under fire following the resignation of Dr Stepanov, while CCC chair Alan MacSporran quit following a damning report into the failed prosecutions of several Logan City Councillors.

Pressed again on whether a review into integrity was needed, the Premier said there were checks and balances on integrity and accountability.

Ms Palaszczuk said the public service should feel that they can give frank and fearless advice.

Asked whether she thought public servants were too worried about making the government look good, the Premier said no.

“I think our public servants do a great job,” she said.

“I will not attack our public service.”