Labor MPs’ ‘extraordinary move’ to block secret Trad CCC report

Labor MPs have made an “extraordinary move” to stymie the release of the Crime and Corruption Commission’s secret report into Jackie Trad – the third time it’s been blocked.

Labor MPs have failed to turn up for a meeting where they would have again been forced to decide whether to reveal how much the Crime and Corruption Commission had spent on fighting to release a secret report into Jackie Trad.

In an “extraordinary move” to diminish transparency, Labor MPs Jennifer Howard, Jonty Bush, Don Brown and Jess Pugh failed to turn up to Thursday’s Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee meeting where they would have again voted to release information provided by the CCC about how much it had spent fighting to release its report into Ms Trad’s involvement in the appointment of Frankie Carroll as under-treasurer.

Jackie Trad’s involvement in the recruitment of a school principal was investigated by the CCC. Photo Steve Pohlner

Following a fruitless 15-minute wait to see whether the government MPs would turn up, the committee meeting was adjourned.

Ms Pugh and Ms Bush are paid an extra $25,118 for sitting on the committee – while Ms Howard and Mr Brown were delegated stand-ins.

The Labor MPs defended their no-show by blaming the “busy” budget week for missing the committee meeting.

Ms Bush said, “regrettably” she had prior engagements but was “very happy to work with the committee” in the future.

Jonty Bush failed to show. Photo: Liam Kidston

Chair Jon Krause, an LNP MP, said the CCC was happy with the information being released to the public.

“It’s an extraordinary move and shows obviously, the lengths that they (the government) will go to to avoid disclosing information that obviously is embarrassing for the government,” he said.

“Having information held up in committee, which government departments or the CCC in this case, have clearly said should be public could be considered an abuse of process and abuse of the government’s majority on committees.”

The committee meeting – scheduled several days in advance – opened at 8.30am with LNP MPs Mr Krause, Michael Crandon and Mark Robinson in attendance.

It is the third time the efforts to release the CCC’s legal costs in Ms Trad’s matter had been thwarted.

MP Jess Pugh also failed to turn up. Picture, John Gass

In May the four Labor MPs voted against releasing the information, with Ms Bush declaring it was not the right time.

That move prompted Deputy LNP Leader Jarrod Bleijie to accuse the Palaszczuk government of running a “protection racket” for Ms Trad, who lost her seat at the 2020 state election.

“Jackie still controls them,” Mr Bleijie said.

Donald (Don) Brown was meant to join the committee meeting.

Jennifer Howard also didn’t turn up. Picture: Liam Kidston