Palaszczuk government overrules move by LNP to seek release of documents

The Palaszczuk government has overruled moves by the LNP to seek the release of documents about alleged interference into the office of the Integrity Commissioner.

The Palaszczuk government has overruled moves by the LNP to call on a parliamentary committee to release documents about allegations of interference into the Integrity Commissioner’s office.

It came as Nikola Stepanov released her resignation letter, which reveals she has offered to stay in the job until after Estimates – when the government and its senior officer holders are subjected to parliamentary hearings.

In a debate in parliament on Wednesday, the LNP moved a motion calling on the Economics and Governance Committee to release documents pertaining to allegations of interference into Dr Stepanov’s office.

Dr Nikola Stepanov has offered to stay in her role until after Estimates. Picture: Liam Kidston

But the government amended the motion so that it no longer called for the release of documents, and instead noted the “convention and standing orders” of allowing parliamentary committees to undertake their work without interference.

The government’s move to amend the motion was only supported by Labor MPs – with the LNP, Katter’s Australian Party, One Nation MP Stephen Andrew and independent MP Sandy Bolton voting against it.

In her speech to parliament, Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said the government’s changes to the amendments reflected the respect the parliament holds for the parliamentary committee process.

“We on this side of the House respect the hard work that our committees do in ensuring government integrity and accountability – but clearly those opposite do not,” Ms Fentiman said.

LNP frontbencher Steve Minnikin hit back at the Attorney-General during the debate, as he backed in his party’s motion.

“The Attorney-General said that it’s the committee system that rules supreme,” he said.

“Well I believe it’s the floor of parliament right now that rules supreme.

“The committees have an important role to play, but this (the parliament) is where we make the decisions.”

The government’s amended motion was ultimately put to a vote, with the motion passing – but only with the support of Labor MPs.

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman speaks during Question Time at Parliament House. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Meanwhile, a copy of Dr Stepanov’s resignation letter was released on Wednesday – where she reveals she is flexible about her end date, offering to stay on the job until after the Estimates process.

Dr Stepanov took the opportunity to again raise the “unprecedented growth and change” in the workload of her office.

“In this regard, throughout my tenure as integrity commissioner, the activity and profile of the office has been tremendously heightened,” she said.

Dr Stepanov submitted her resignation in January, and is due to leave the job for the private sector in July.