Jackie Trad speaks after bombshell CCC report released

Jackie Trad has attacked the LNP government for the release of a CCC report into her conduct, claiming it is “filled with subjective character judgements”.

Former deputy premier Jackie Trad has attacked the LNP government for releasing a corruption watchdog into the hiring of a high-ranking public servant claiming it was “filled with subjective character judgments.

Ms Trad posted a statement to social media hours after the Crime and Corruption Commission report into the appointment of Under Treasurer Frankie Carroll was released by the government.

“The tabling of the unlawful CCC reports in the Queensland Parliament is a direct measure of the lack of respect the Queensland LNP Government holds for the Courts, including the High Court of Australia,” she said.

“This also sets a dangerous precedent for a government; to use their numbers in Parliament to set aside and disregard a well-considered, balanced and fair judgement from the highest court in our nation, without legislative amendment or scrutiny.

Jackie Trad has defended herself. PICTURE: Matt Taylor.

“Once again, the CCC have investigated and released a report that has found no evidence l engaged in corrupt conduct, misconduct in public office or any other criminal offence.

“Knowing, for some time, that the report was filled with subjective character judgments but, no actual findings against me, I approached the CCC, through my lawyers, to settle the matter in 2023, to which they did not respond and chose to go the High Court.

“Every single member of the full bench of the High Court resoundingly found against the CCC.”

The CCC report, which Ms Trad fought to keep secret, found insufficient evidence to establish a criminal offence of misconduct in relation to public office.

But the corruption watchdog warned public servants they would be fired for a similar disciplinary breach if it were proven.

The CCC found the conduct of then-Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s chief of staff Dave Stewart in the hiring process of Mr Carroll was “capable of meeting the definition of corrupt conduct”.

But similar to Ms Trad there was insufficient evidence in relation to the offence of misconduct in relation to public office.