Integrity crisis deepens as emails reveal CCC ‘supported’ probe into five Palaszczuk Ministers

New emails released under Right to Information show the frantic efforts by senior public servants to protect Labor ministers caught in the integrity scandal.

The Public Service Commission was allegedly involved in unlawfully deleting sensitive emails two years before it came under fire for seizing a laptop from the office of Integrity Commissioner Dr Nikola Stepanov and wiping that clean.

New emails released under Right to Information show the PSC was accused by then state archivist Mike Summerell of the “unlawful disposal of records” in early 2019.

The emails released to the Member for Burleigh Michael Hart show the Crime and Corruption Commission was aware of a power struggle behind the scenes. The emails show the crime watchdog “supported” Summerell’s investigations into five Palaszczuk ministers.

The emails also show the frantic efforts by senior public servants to protect Labor ministers caught in the integrity scandal.

Former state archivist Mike Summerell.

The emails written by Summerell also show his frustrations in his quest to find out why certain documents held by Queensland Police and the Queensland Building and Construction Commission were improperly disposed of. One set of papers was found at a rubbish tip.

The emails covered a broad range of other topics.

Summerell also discusses records relating to former deputy premier Jackie Trad and unrelated emails concerning Sharon Kelsey, the ousted Logan City Council chief executive.

It is not suggested that the individuals have engaged in any wrongdoing.

Hart said the emails arrived as rumours swirled around political circles that private matters under investigation by Stepanov were leaked to someone outside her department.

Stepanov had already told the CCC she believed her independence may have been compromised.

Integrity Commissioner Dr Nikola Stepanov. Picture: Liam Kidston

Hart points especially to one email from Summerell to the Director-General of the Department of Housing and Public Works headed: “Investigation into unlawful disposal of records by a former employee of the Public Service Commission.”

It reads: “On the advice of the CCC the chief executive of the PSC (Robert Setter) wrote to the State Archivist in February 2019 regarding the unlawful disposal of public records by a PSC employee.

“(Setter) advised that an investigation into the actions of the former PSC employee identified a small number of public records that were allegedly permanently deleted.

“These records, however, were able to be recovered.

“Given the concerns about a potential repeat of the issue in the future, the State Archivist sought confirmation from (Setter) about any preventive measures that the PSC had in place to minimise the risk of unlawful disposal of public records re-occurring.”

Summerell said he was satisfied with Setter’s assurances that new processes were in place, and because the deleted records had been recovered, “action for breach of the Act was not appropriate”.

Burleigh MP Michael Hart. Picture: Liam Kidston

Hart said the Opposition was demanding answers.

“Who was the Public Service Commission investigating and why?” he asked. “And who was the (then) state archivist (Summerell) investigating at the Public Service Commission?

“I want to pose this question: Was any of this related to the seizure of the Integrity Commissioner’s laptop sometime later?’’

Stepanov is already on the public record as saying a laptop seized from her office had the contents “deleted without my knowledge or consent”.

In evidence to a Parliamentary hearing, she identified Setter as the person who described her as a “bitch on a witch hunt”.

Setter later called a press conference and strenuously denied the “misogynist slur”.

Public Service Commissioner Robert Setter. Picture: Liam Kidston

In a separate submission to a parliamentary committee Stepanov had already warned of interference in her office by the Public Service Commission and the Department of Premier and Cabinet. She said there was a perception of interference not only in her office but others.

The latest email releases also show Summerell’s “investigations into potential breaches of the Act by five government ministers during the state archivist’s investigations into the actions of Minister (Mark) Bailey.”

Summerell said he intended to contact the ministers “to confirm they had treated the identified public records in the appropriate manner”.

He said this “follow-up investigation” was “supported by the CCC in September 2017”.

However, Summerell was warned off.

“The Director-General of the Department of Housing and Public Works directed the state archivist not to contact the ministers,” he said.

Hart said the public deserved to know why Summerell was blocked from doing his duty.

Summerell said he then sought advice from the Crown Law Office. However, the next lines in his email were blanked out by RTI officials.

Hart said the emails show Annastacia Palaszczuk’s pledge of open government when she was elected in 2015 was a hollow one.

“She said she stood for openness, transparency and accessibility, but she hasn’t been any of those things.”