Jarrod Bleijie’s right-hand man John Sosso officially appointed to redraw electoral boundaries

Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick has unloaded over the timing of the announcement of John Sosso’s appointment to redraw election boundaries, slamming it and the Premier.

Jarrod Bleijie’s right-hand man John Sosso. Picture: Tim Marsden

The state government dismissed concerns of eminent corruption fighter Tony Fitzgerald and forged ahead to formally appoint Director-General John Sosso to redraw electoral boundaries.

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington used the eve of the Easter long weekend to reveal Governor Jeannette Young had approved Mr Sosso’s appointment to the independent Queensland Redistribution Commission.

It is despite weeks of outcry from Mr Fitzgerald and the Labor opposition criticising Mr Sosso’s recommended appointment.

Mr Sosso – who is not accused of wrongdoing – has worked under both LNP and Labor governments during his 41-year career in the public sector, including the Bjelke-Petersen government and the Newman government.

In a rare public statement, Mr Fitzgerald raised concern: “Queensland might be reverting to the bad old days of biased electoral boundaries – the notorious Queensland gerrymander”.

“I sincerely hope that isn’t so. Biased electoral boundaries fundamentally conflict with democracy.”

Corruption buster Tony Fitzgerald in October, 1987.

The author of the famous 1987-89 Fitzgerald Inquiry, Mr Fitzgerald exposed deep-seated corruption within the government and was the catalyst for major political and police reform, including the establishment of Electoral and Administrative Review Commission – now the Queensland Redistribution Commission.

Labor this week also pointed to a 2015 Auditor-General report which accused Mr Sosso of interfering with an independent probe into Jarrod Bleijie when he was Attorney-General under Campbell Newman.

Mr Sosso, while the director-general of the Department of Attorney-General and Justice, was accused of directing his staff to not provide evidence to the review into Mr Bleijie by then auditor-general Andrew Greaves.

Ms Frecklington has refused to reveal how she selected Mr Sosso and what consultation was undertaken prior to his nomination and appointment.

Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick slammed the timing of the move. Photo Steve Pohlner

Opposition Deputy Leader Cameron Dick slammed the timing of the announcement, accusing

Premier David Crisafulli of “taking out the trash” on the eve of a long weekend.

“This is a deeply cynical move,” he said.

“David Crisafulli wants to avoid scrutiny.

“This appointment stinks and the way it’s been announced stinks as well.

“Queenslanders aren’t mugs.”

Mr Dick said the move would backfire on the government after Mr Fitzgerald denounced Mr Sosso’s appointment.

“John Sosso is politically compromised,” he said.

“He’s been an active member of political parties and that rules him out.

“When Tony Fitzgerald speaks, every Queenslander should listen, including the Premier.”

Opposition Leader Steven Miles declared the timing of the announcement proved Queensland was already “on our way back to those horrible days”.

Mr Sosso joins distinguished judge Gregory Koppenol and Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen on the QRC.

Ms Frecklington spruiked Mr Sosso’s “vast public sector experience” to both sides of politics and recent appointment as head of Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie’s Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning.

Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington. Picture: Supplied

Mr Miles said he was shocked at the timing of the announcement.

“Just hours before the Easter long weekend when they know there are no newspapers anywhere in the state tomorrow, Deb Frecklington appoints John Sosso on the Queensland Redistribution Commission,” he said.

“The LNP has ignored serious concerns raised by us and corruption buster Tony Fitzgerald, concerns that Mr Sosso could throw this state back to the dark days of the notorious Queensland gerrymander.

“The timing of this announcement signals that we are already on our way back to those horrible days.”

The Commissioner appointments are for a term of two years from Thursday.

The review and redistribution of Queensland’s electoral boundaries is required under the Electoral Act because 7.5 years have passed since the previous redistribution became final in 2017.

The commissioners face a challenge balancing the number of voters across Queensland’s 93 electorates.

The amalgamation or abolition a seat could have significant political implications.

Strategists in both parties are tipping changes in the northern Gold Coast and Logan areas where the population is growing.

The LNP’s Coomera electorate is 37 per cent above quota with 54,958 electors.

Labor’s nearby Gaven – held by likely future leader Meaghan Scanlon – has just 35,527 electors and is 11.4 per cent below quota.