Parliamentary Committee seeks advice on secret documents

Queensland’s Integrity Commissioner has urged a parliamentary committee to reveal whether she is under investigation, saying she is being denied ‘natural justice’.

Integrity Commissioner Nikola Stepanov has urged a parliamentary committee to reveal whether she is under investigation, declaring “justice delayed is justice denied”.

The Economics and Governance Committee on Thursday afternoon declared it was seeking advice about the release of secret documents regarding Dr Stepanov after repeated calls for them to be made public.

They are expected to clarify whether she is under any investigation by the committee after she was referred by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for possible investigation last year.

Dr Stepanov on Friday called for an end to the secrecy and for information about her referral to be made public.

“It is my sincere desire that any allegations that have been made against me be investigated fully, independently, and expeditiously; and that the outcome of any such investigation be made public as soon as possible,” she said.

Queensland Integrity Commissioner Dr Nikola Stepanov. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Apart from public statements made by others and information contained in recent media reports, it remains the case that I have no knowledge of the nature of the referral or the circumstances in which the referral was made.

“Natural justice is the right to be made aware of, and respond to, information which will be used in the course of a decision that might negatively affect a person.

“In the normal course of events, natural justice requires that the subject of a complaint be given enough information so that they can understand and respond to a complaint made against them.”

Dr Stepanov cited the legal maxim which says “justice delayed is justice denied”.

The committee is seeking external advice around the release of documents.

The documents are expected to clarify whether Dr Stepanov is under any investigation by the Economics and Governance Committee (EGC) after she was referred by Ms Palaszczuk for possible investigation last year.

The Premier, whose referral related to a two-year-old allegation of credit card misconduct and unspecified bullying, has repeatedly refused to comment on the matter citing that it was before the committee.

Following a meeting late Thursday, EGC deputy chair Ray Stevens described the meeting as “very, very disappointing”.

But, because he is bound by parliamentary standing orders and therefore cannot reveal what takes place during a private meeting, he could not comment further.

“I can’t say anything to you further to a long deliberations about matters on the Economics and Governance Committee, which is very, very disappointing,” he said.

Ahead of Monday’s EGC meeting, Mr Stevens said he would move a motion calling for all documents including transcripts relating to the office of Dr Stepanov from the last 18 months to be made public.

The Opposition MP said he had the support of all non-government members on the committee and was hoping to say more later this week.

Committee chair Linus Power, who is a Labor MP, said the committee was “carefully considering the release of information”.

“We’ll always take extreme care in considering those sensitive matters,” he said following Thursday’s meeting.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has refused to comment on the matter. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Asked whether the documents would be released at some point, Mr Power said external advice was being sought.

He couldn’t say where that advice was coming from or when the committee would meet again.

Dr Stepanov earlier this week said she had no problem with confidential information concerning her office being released.

The Premier’s referral came in the weeks after Dr Stepanov complained of interference in her office by the Public Service Commission.

The EGC has equal non-government and government members.