LNP rejects further scrutiny of John Sosso’s proposed electoral boundary role

The state government will not seek further scrutiny over a senior bureaucrat’s proposed role in redrawing electoral boundaries, even as Labor highlights the man’s ‘50 year’ affiliation with the LNP.

State Development, Infrastructure and Planning director-general John Sosso. File picture

The government will not call on Queensland’s integrity boss or Crown law to provide advice about the involvement of John Sosso in redrawing electoral boundaries.

Attacks on State Development, Infrastructure and Planning director-general Mr Sosso’s suggested involvement in the independent Queensland Redistribution Commission intensified in parliament on Thursday, when the Labor opposition again demanded the government withdraw his nomination.

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington continued to defend her decision to put forward Mr Sosso to sit on a three-member panel considering the future make-up of Queensland electoral boundaries.

Mr Sosso’s suitability to help redraw electoral boundaries this year has come under fire, with Opposition Leader Steven Miles questioning his “deep political roots” to the LNP.

Ms Frecklington declined to say whether she would seek advice from the Crown Solicitor, Integrity Commissioner or Electoral Commissioner about Mr Sosso’s appointment.

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington during Question Time. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

Instead, she argued his time working in Wayne Goss’s Labor government meant he was qualified.

“Labor has disgracefully used the cover of parliamentary privilege to trash the reputation of a longstanding public servant, who has worked for decades across both sides of politics,” she said.

“Does Labor really believe that former premier Wayne Goss, who staked his political career on integrity, would have allowed Mr Sosso in his public service for six years?”

A spokeswoman for Ms Frecklington said later: “It would be very unusual to consult those bodies for this kind of appointment, given the government is proposing an esteemed retired judge, a highly regarded director-general and the Electoral Commissioner.”

Mr Miles, in parliament, labelled Ms Frecklington shameful and later told The Courier-Mail the integrity of future elections were at risk.

“John Sosso has had strong links to the LNP for 50 years and was central to David Crisafulli’s campaign,” he said.

“The Attorney-General must seek legal and departmental advice before appointing Mr Sosso to the Queensland Redistribution Commission and make that advice public. There will be a cloud over future elections if the Attorney-General fails to do that.”

The former gerrymander of electoral boundaries saw the Nationals government of premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen returned for decades.

An independent statutory body, the Queensland Redistribution Commission was founded alongside the now Crime and Corruption Commission as a result of the landmark Fitzgerald inquiry.

The Courier-Mail revealed on Tuesday the government wanted to appoint Mr Sosso a non-judicial member of the body that determines the state’s electoral boundaries.

It also revealed Queensland Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen and barrister Gregory Koppenol would be chairmen.