‘Inappropriate’: Former state archivist slams call

Former state archivist Mike Summerell has slammed the appointment of the Premier’s own director-general to conduct investigations into allegations of a doctored annual report, saying the decision posed a potential conflict of interest.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has defended the appointment of her director-general to probe damning allegations an important report was doctored after it was slammed as “inappropriate” and posed a potential conflict of interest.

As the Premier declared she didn’t believe annual reports were doctored to suit the government’s political agenda, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said there shouldn’t be interference with them.

It came as former state archivist Mike Summerell, who says his 2018-19 annual report didn’t include his critical statement of the government in the published version, lashed out at the government saying it was a “poor choice” for a senior official whose role is “primarily to support the Premier” to undertake the investigation into his claims.

Former state archivist Mike Summerell. Source: QLD State Archives Twitter

He said the appointment of Director-General Rachel Hunter to review matters was “inappropriate” and presented a potential conflict of interest that could lead to her findings being viewed with suspicion, even if unfairly.

“I believe that for some the ability to be honest and truthful will be extremely difficult given the seniority and status of this individual,” he said.

“The DG of DPC is a powerful position held in awe and fear by many senior public servants.

“The question of conflict of interest is an obvious one.”

Mr Summerell said a number of matters he had raised involved the Premier and her office.

“I would stress the matters don’t involve inappropriate interference or similar by the Premier or her office, but they do relate to matters where others potentially sought to protect the Premier or her office, whether they needed it or not,” he said.

“The DG of DPC would be an inappropriate person to undertake such a review in my opinion because of this potential perception of a conflict of interest.”

He called for an “independent entity” to be appointed instead, such as the state’s corruption watchdog, the Queensland Audit Office, or the Ombudsman.

But the Premier defended the decision – pointing to Ms Hunter’s role as the head of the Queensland public service.

“She (Ms Hunter) had a conversation with me yesterday (Monday),” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“She said that she will begin work on that. She will issue those terms.

“They will become public and they will be released once she’s ready.

“The head of the public service is the right body to look at any issues of misconduct of the departments.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk believes reports were not doctored to suit the Government’s political agenda. Picture Lachie Millard

Ms Palaszczuk said she would not be involving herself in the investigation.

Asked if it was common for annual reports to be changed from when they’re submitted to when they’re published to the public, Ms Palaszczuk said it was a matter for each department.

“Sometimes there might be spelling mistakes,” she said.

“Sometimes there might be incorrect reporting figures, so from time to time annual reports would be changed.

“But if there are any serious allegations the director-general is the appropriate person to look at that.”

Meanwhile Ms D’Ath defended the government’s integrity while saying she hadn’t interfered with any annual reports.

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath denied the request for parliament to be recalled early. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

She said it was not the practice for annual reports to be altered.

“Hospital and health services produce their reports, the department produces the reports and as the Minister I table those report and I’m answerable to those reports every estimates (hearing),” she said.

Asked then that if it was not the practice – would she agree that it would be unacceptable for that to happen – the Minister said it was reasonable for errors to be changed.

“But as far as asking for it to be changed – no there shouldn’t be interference with annual reports,” she said.

Ms D’Ath, who is also Leader of the House, denied Opposition Leader David Crisafulli’s request for parliament to be recalled early amid the integrity issues dogging the government.

It’s scheduled to sit for the first time this year on February 22.

“No, parliament goes back in a couple of weeks,” Ms D’Ath said.

“The Opposition will have plenty of opportunity to ask all the questions that they want.”

The Minister said she didn’t think the Palaszczuk government had an issue with integrity.

“I’m very proud to be part of the Palaszczuk government that from day one we outlined our desire for full transparency and integrity as a government, and we have shown time and time again through the processes, through the legislation that we have introduced that we do that,” she said.