Palaszczuk Government taunted over secret Trad report

The Opposition has forced the government to show its hand on whether corruption investigations should be made public or remain hidden.

The state government will be forced to take a position on whether a corruption probe into former deputy premier Jackie Trad should be made public.

The Opposition will introduce a private member’s Bill giving the Crime and Corruption Commission the power to release the findings of its investigations, after the High Court recently ruled it had no such power.

The CCC conceded it could not release its report into Ms Trad, after the High Court ruled on an unrelated investigation into former public trustee Peter Carne.

Neither has been charged and both have strenuously denied any wrongdoing. There is no suggestion either is currently being probed.

Shadow justice spokesman Tim Nicholls introduced the amendments on Wednesday, with retrospective powers to ensure the matters relating to both Ms Trad and Mr Carne could be released.

Former deputy premier Jackie Trad. Picture: Peter Wallis

The Opposition’s proposed laws follow calls from CCC chair Bruce Barbour for urgent and retrospective legislation, declaring last month public reporting of corruption probes were crucial to the watchdog’s role.

Acting attorney-general Shannon Fentiman said the government was “very carefully considering” advice from the Solicitor-General before it decided if it would amend the crime and corruption act.

“Bruce Barbour... has made public statements himself saying whilst they do want urgent changes, they want the government to carefully consider this because it is more complex than it would appear at face value,” she said.

Ms Fentiman refused to reveal if she was comfortable with the corruption reports remaining secret, and stood by her decision when attorney-general to approve the government covering legal costs for Ms Trad.

“I take advice from the Crown law on whether or not someone’s application fits within the guidelines,” she said.

Former Queensland public trustee Peter Carne outside the High Court in Canberra earlier this year. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“I would do that for (Opposition Leader) David Crisafulli, I would do that as attorney-general for any member of the parliament.”

But the Opposition’s daring proposal to amend the legislation is intended to force the government’s hand, as Mr Nicholls taunted Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk over the government’s handling of integrity and transparency.

He told parliament on Wednesday afternoon the LNP was moving to fix the Crime and Corruption Act “because Palaszczuk’s Labor government has failed to do so”.

“If the Labor government believes in openness and transparency, they have no choice but to support this bill,” Mr Nicholls said.

“By failing to act and act urgently Labor is acting only to protect itself, protect its Labor mates and protect its re-election prospects.

“The LNP Opposition is doing what this Government should have been in a position to do almost immediately after the High Court decision was delivered.”