Qld integrity crisis: Annastacia Palaszczuk admits Govt must do better

Annastacia Palaszczuk admits her Government “needs to do better” to improve confidence in integrity, but won’t be drawn on a key concern.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has acknowledged her Government “needs to do better” to improve confidence in integrity, but declined to say whether a parliamentary committee should allow her to discuss ongoing investigations.

Ms Palaszczuk has repeatedly declared ongoing investigations by the Crime and Corruption Commission and rules around the disclosure of parliamentary business is preventing her from providing details about why she referred Queensland Integrity Commissioner Nikola Stepanov to the Economics and Governance Committee – which has oversight of the role.

Ms Palaszczuk yesterday declined to say whether the committee should release an update about her referral of Dr Stepanov.

“That’s a matter for them; I can’t comment on the committee,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk also pledged to implement recommendations that come from Tony Fitzgerald’s review into the Crime and Corruption Commission and allegations raised by former state archivist Mike Summerell about political interference.

“I’ve always said we need to do better; I expect robust processes,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday. Picture: Dan Peled/NCA NewsWire

“We have checks and balances in place, but if anyone, any public servant has not done the right thing and any recommendations come out, we will implement them … that’s my determination.”

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said the statement released by Public Service Commissioner Rob Setter on Sunday revealed the agency handed a laptop belonging to the Integrity Commissioner to the CCC.

Mr Crisafulli called for Mr Setter to “step forward and face the music” and detail what Ms Palaszczuk knew about the agency’s involvement with the Integrity Commissioner.

“It was the Public Service Commissioner who had the laptop,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“To change passwords, to change access and to take a laptop with sensitive information and to wipe it, they are not the actions of a democratic and independent public service,” he said.

“Queenslanders want to know what was on that laptop and they want to know what the Premier knew about it.”

Mr Crisafulli questioned how Ms Palaszczuk knew of a HR matter relating to the Integrity Commissioner – which she referred to the parliamentary committee – but was not aware of the Public Service Commission’s raid on Dr ­Stepanov’s office.

“The Premier isn’t being upfront with Queenslanders about what she knew and when about one of the greatest attacks on democracy this state has seen,” he said.