Integrity Commissioner demands complete independence from the Public Service Commission

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has finally backed giving the state’s integrity commissioner independence, while apologising to public servants who feel they aren’t listened to.

Annastacia Palaszczuk has finally backed giving the state’s integrity commissioner independence, as she apologised to public servants who felt they weren’t being listened to when raising integrity concerns.

The Premier said today she didn’t “have any problem” with Kevin Yearbury’s recommendations relating to the office of the Integrity Commissioner, which included separating it from the Public Service Commission.

It came as Ms Palaszczuk conceded her Government needed to do more to strengthen its integrity, but insisted it worked hard every day in the best interests of Queenslanders.

“There were some people who said that they felt that they weren’t listened to, and I apologise if they feel that way, but we absolutely need to make sure that we have absolute confidence and Queenslanders should have confidence in the robust checks and balances that we have,” she said.

Amid various concerns relating to the government’s integrity which have been raised in recent weeks, Ms Palaszczuk said on Monday there were public servants who felt like they weren’t heard when raising issues.

Ms Palaszczuk then asked director-general Rachel Hunter to write to all public servants to encourage them to provide frank and fearless advice, and to make sure they knew where they could make a complaint.

“If they feel they can’t complain to their supervisor, there are a whole range of areas across Government they can complain,” Ms Palaszczuk said today.

“Yes we do acknowledge there are issues, and we are endeavouring to fix them as quickly as possible.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk this week. Picture: Dan Peled/NCA NewsWire

Meanwhile Ms Palaszczuk said she was sure the Economics and Governance Committee was giving serious consideration to Mr Yearbury’s strategic review into the functions of the state’s Integrity Commissioner.

Mr Yearbury made several recommendations last year including that the office be separated from the PSC.

“I don’t have any problem with Kevin Yearbury’s recommendations in relation to the office of the Integrity Commissioner,” Ms Palaszczuk said today.

It’s not yet known when the committee will report back on this strategic review.

Meanwhile the Government is still waiting on “clearance” from the CCC before releasing a report concerning Mark Bailey’s private email saga which former state archivist Mike Summerell handed to the relevant director-general in 2017.

Overnight, it was reported Queensland’s outgoing integrity commissioner had called for urgent legislation to give her independence from the Public Service Commission amid an ongoing investigation into claims of interference in her office.

Nikola Stepanov, whose complaint around a laptop allegedly seized from her office by the PSC, her resignation and public calls for an inquiry into integrity helped ignite the swirling political storm enveloping the Palaszczuk Government, told a parliamentary inquiry she should be immediately granted independent powers.

It came as Ms Palaszczuk dodged a raft of questions during a surprise trip to Bundaberg and refused to explain her statement 24 hours earlier that “some things could have been done better” in relation to government integrity.

Ms Stepanov, who was responding to findings of a strategic review into her office that the PSC’s governance of her office was “not appropriate”, said the finding was “of particular significance and should be addressed on an urgent basis”.

Dr Nikola Stepanov, Integrity Commissioner Queensland. (AAP Image/Attila Csaszar)

“Therefore, the Integrity Commissioner suggests these matters be dealt with expeditiously by way of an amendment to the Act establishing an ‘Office of the Integrity Commissioner’ and providing the Integrity Commissioner with the powers and responsibilities of a chief executive officer of a department of government,” she wrote.

A submission by the Crime and Corruption Commission also backed Ms Stepanov’s office being granted the independence she argues it needs.

Meanwhile, Ms Palaszczuk tried to side step questions about her government’s integrity saga on Tuesday, as she entered into a back and forth exchange with a journalist in Bundaberg.

After on Monday conceding that “some things could’ve been done better”, the Premier yesterday wouldn’t elaborate further on what actually could have been done better.

“I went through that yesterday (Monday) in some detail,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“I’ve always accepted that we can always do more and that’s exactly what we will do.”

In an exchange with a journalist who was asking about calls for an independent inquiry into integrity, Ms Palaszczuk repeatedly asked her to explain what issues she was talking about.

“What, what, what issues are you talking about,” Ms Palaszczuk asked.

“You tell me, I’m happy to, you tell me which issues you want to raise? But which particular issues,” she continued as she interrupted the journalist’s questions.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk during her heated press conference near Bundaberg. Photo Paul Beutel

The journalist then asked: “What would be the harm in a full, independent inquiry?”

“Give me an example of the issue,” Ms Palaszczuk responded as the to-and-fro continued.

“I’m happy to answer the question if you give me the example.”

“I’m talking about your government’s integrity … (in relation to) the many issues that have been brought up over the past week,” the journalist replied.

Ms Palaszczuk asked: “Such as?”

The journalists then replied: “There are many issues. I don’t think I need to explain them to you.”

Ms Palaszczuk said the government had robust checks and balances and they would continue to be upheld.

It came as former state archivist Mike Summerell suggested a wider inquiry was needed beyond the review that had been launched into his claims.

In his latest statement, Mr Summerell applauded actions Ms Palaszczuk took on Monday – when she said the review would be done at arm’s length from government by a Queen’s Counsel.

But Mr Summerell said it was simply a step in the right direction, saying the “real problem” was not being addressed.

He suggested there was a culture problem.

“A wider Inquiry is required. I don’t believe that my experiences are unique or indeed will be the most significant,” Mr Summerell wrote.

He said a wider inquiry should include a review of the legislative framework that supports integrity within government – saying the laws needed to be looked at “holistically”.