‘Politicians can be criticised’: Deputy Premier’s claim at odds with colleagues

Deputy Premier Cameron Dick has found himself at odds with his own government over what the CCC can say in future reports.

Deputy Premier Cameron Dick says the Crime and Corruption Commission should be able to criticise the conduct of Queensland politicians, putting him at odds with the government’s position.

The state’s second-most powerful politician said “of course” when asked if the CCC should be able to provide critical commentary about the conduct of members of parliament.

“They’ve done so in the past and they’ll do so in the future, no doubt,” he said.

Mr Dick’s views come despite the government endorsing former chief justice Catherine Holmes’s review into how the CCC reports on its investigations.

That review recommended the watchdog be banned from making critical commentary or expressing an opinion about the conduct of an elected official if they had not been found guilty of a related offence.

Mr Dick, when pushed about why his push for transparency came as the government endorsed banning critical commentary of politicians, said he would re-read Ms Holmes’s report.

“Let me go back and see what (Ms) Holmes actually said before I respond to that,” he said.

“We are not seeking to muzzle the CCC.

“We are trying to respond to Catherine Holmes’ report and provide the best possible framework for reporting.”

Mr Dick declared the CCC was entitled to make comments about politicians, including at annual estimates proceedings.

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Cameron Dick in Question Time on Tuesday. Picture: Dan Peled/NCA NewsWire

The state government is expected to push through legislation before the election to implement the recommendations of Ms Holmes’s 463-page review.

Centre to the government’s response will be whether its legislation details if reports into former deputy premier Jackie Trad and former public trustee Peter Carne – who are not accused of wrongdoing – will be released.

It is unknown whether reports into Ms Trad or Mr Carne would be released if the government endorses Ms Holmes’s recommendation to ban the CCC from expressing an opinion about conduct.

The government has previously said that was a matter for the CCC.

Separately, the government said it would vote down a Bill by shadow attorney-general Tim Nicholls that would see the release of the Trad and Carne reports.

“A failure to act leaves Queenslanders in the dark,” Mr Nicholls said.

Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath warned against giving the watchdog power without oversight and said Mr Nicholls’s proposal failed to provide a framework for the CCC’s reporting.

“It’s simple, but it’s reckless... being so simple makes it flawed and open to challenge,” she said.

Shield laws protecting journalists from revealing sources also passed parliament on Tuesday.