Integrity review: Parliamentary committee considers vote on whether to release secret documents

The Integrity Commissioner and a whistleblower ex-state archivist have called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into integrity issues within the Palaszczuk Government, arguing the independent review called for by the Premier will not be enough to get to the heart of problems.

Integrity Commissioner Dr Nikola Stepanov has called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into integrity issues within the Palaszczuk Government, arguing the Coaldrake review will not be enough to get to the heart of problems.

But the Premier has ignored her calls, insisting the state already had a standing Royal Commission – the Crime and Corruption Commission.

Dr Stepanov on Friday welcomed Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s announcement of a review into integrity, with a particular focus on the nature of interactions between the executive, the public sector, and the state’s integrity bodies, as an “important first step”.

But on Monday she issued a new statement following an admission by Emeritus Professor Peter Coaldrake, who will undertake the four-month and “broad-reaching” review, that he would not have unfettered access to witnesses and bureaucrats.

Queensland Integrity Commissioner Dr Nikola Stepanov. Picture: Liam Kidston

“However, I note that Professor Peter Coaldrake AO has publicly discussed the limited scope and duration of the review, as well the lack of legal powers and protections that would be afforded by a full Commission of Inquiry,” she said in a statement released Monday.

“I appreciate this frank assessment of what the review can realistically achieve, given its narrow scope and terms of reference.

“In my view, it is in the public interest that a Commission of Inquiry be established to examine the multitude of integrity related issues that have been canvassed in the public space in recent weeks.

“Any such inquiry ought not be limited to the issues I have raised as Queensland Integrity Commissioner, given the nature and extent of the issues raised by other independent bodies and individuals who appear to be similarly concerned or affected.

“Noting that the fear of legal action and other repercussions are commonly held concerns of whistleblowers, in my view only a full Commission of Inquiry would be able to afford potential witnesses the necessary legal protections required to overcome these concerns.”

Pressed on Dr Stepanov’s calls on Monday afternoon, Ms Palaszczuk said Peter Coaldrake’s review would be “very, very thorough”.

“I absolutely respect the Integrity Commissioner, she does a very good job, I’ve always respected her, I’ve found her advice has been impeccable,” she said.

“But I do say this, we have a Coaldrake review that is now in place and he’s going to get on with the job, he’s going to speak to a whole range of statutory authorities.

“It’s up to him who he speaks to and I’m quite sure we will see the first report in two months.”

Asked why then she wouldn’t listen to the Integrity Commissioner’s calls if she gave impeccable advice, Ms Palaszczuk referred to the Coaldrake review.

The Premier said she was listening to all of the statutory authorities – which is why she had commissioned the review.

Former state archivist Mike Summerell backed Dr Stepanov’s calls, issuing a brief statement of his own.

“I strongly support the commission of inquiry into integrity proposed by Dr Stepanov,” Mr Summerell told The Courier-Mail.

“Whilst I have no concerns about Professor Coaldrake himself, his review as it stands has fundamental flaws in regard to its scope and protections for those who participate.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

As revealed exclusively by The Courier-Mail on Friday, Ms Palaszczuk announced Emeritus Professor Peter Coaldrake would undertake a four-month and “broad-reaching” review into the culture and accountability in Queensland’s public service agencies and entities.

She acknowledged he would not have unfettered access to witnesses and bureaucrats but pledged to make public the report and act on its recommendations.

Ms Palaszczuk was forced to announce the review following weeks of integrity issues raised by current and former heads of integrity bodies amid a CCC investigation into claims of interference in Dr Stepanov’s office by the Public Service Commissioner.

Whistleblowers had initially welcomed the Coaldrake review, but said they awaited further detail on how the review would be conducted.

They argued there would need to be specific protections for whistleblowers to come forward, including those who had already left the public service.

Earlier on Monday, Professor Coaldrake acknowledged he did not have the power to compel testimony.

He has also been forthright in his limited powers and time, although has said he intends to do a good job.

He said he intended to speak with Dr Stepanov and other integrity heads and hoped to speak to Mr Summerell too, in a sign he would like to speak to former public servants as well.

“I haven’t spoken to anyone yet, but I certainly would hope that each of those people will speak to me, amongst many others,” he told ABC Radio.

He said he was focus on the interactions between ministerial staff and departmental staff and was sure he would have “a lot of interactions” with ministerial staff.

He also confirmed for the first time he intended to look at “lobbying or lobbyist-type issues” and at the use of consultancies.

“I’m going to spend at least this week mapping out the task,” he said.

“I broadly think that I’ll be spending the first two months speaking with and basically listening to what people have got to say and I really encourage people at all levels of the system to come forward.”

He said he was “relaxed” if people wanted to speak to him in groups rather than individually, but he confirmed he did not have the power to subpoena public servants for testimony.

Economics and Governance Committee deputy chair Ray Stevens. Picture Glenn Hampson

Earlier, Dr Stepanov confirmed she had no problem with confidential information that could shed light on the ongoing integrity issues being released by the parliament.

The Economics and Governance Committee (EGC) was this morning expected to vote on whether to release secret documents concerning Ms Stepanov’s office.

Prior to the private meeting, committee deputy chair Ray Stevens revealed he would move a motion calling for “all proceedings including correspondence, minutes and transcripts relating to the office of the Integrity Commissioner Dr Nikola Stepanov for the last 18 months be publicly released.”

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Stevens – who is bound by standing orders and therefore cannot reveal what takes place during a committee meeting – said he was hoping he’d be able to say more later this week.

“There are ongoing discussions which at this stage we cannot publicly disclose,” he said.

Dr Stepanov told The Courier-Mail she noted the committee had met.

“I have no objection to the release of any materials held by the Parliamentary Economics and Governance Committee which relate to the performance of my role as Queensland Integrity Commissioner,” she said.

Mr Stevens, who is also an Opposition backbencher, had earlier said he wanted to move the motion to protect the independence and integrity of the Integrity Commissioner’s office.

Because of standing orders, Mr Stevens said he was unable to clarify what role the committee was currently playing following Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s referral of Dr Stepanov last year.

Ms Palaszczuk’s referral to the committee concerned a two-year-old allegation of credit card misconduct and unspecified bullying and came in the weeks after Dr Stepanov complained of interference in her office by the Public Service Commission.

Labor MP Linus Power chairs the EGC which has equal non-government and government members.

The EGC has oversight of the office of the Integrity Commissioner.