Qld integrity crisis: Annastacia Palaszczuk say she didn’t need to know about watchdog’s complaint

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk insists she didn’t need to know about a complaint from the integrity watchdog before finding out through the media.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk only found out about the integrity watchdog’s complaint alleging the Public Service Commission meddled in their office when it was raised in the media, but has dismissed suggestions she should have known sooner.

The Premier said yesterday there was no need for her to have known earlier because the complaint wasn’t referred to her.

The State Government’s integrity issues dominated another media conference yesterday, when Ms Palaszczuk again insisted she had an obligation to refer Integrity Commissioner Nikola Stepanov to the Economics and Governance Committee following Solicitor-General advice.

Her referral, made in April 2021, related to a two-year-old allegation of credit card misconduct and unspecified bullying against Dr Stepanov.

“The Solicitor-General had all of the information, the necessary information before him, before making the decision to give me the advice that required the referral,” she said.

“I would like to see this issue resolved as quickly as possible.”

Asked whether it was common for her to refer matters that had already been looked at – which this matter had been by the Crime and Corruption Commission – Ms Palaszczuk said she prided herself in acting in accordance with the law.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk addresses the media yesterday. Picture: Sarah Marshall/NCA NewsWire

While again refusing to reveal who brought the allegation to her attention, Ms Palaszczuk said there were matters before the CCC and the EGC which prevented her from providing details.

“I would love to discuss more details, but I would be in contempt of Parliament and I would be in breach of some of my legal obligations if I said anything more in relation to those matters,” she said.

“I said very clearly ... I would like these issues resolved as quickly as possible.

“I think that would give the public confidence.”

EGC chair Linus Power said any correspondence referred to the committee remained a proceeding under Standing Order 211 until the committee made a report to the house.

In relation to Dr Stepanov’s allegations that the PSC had interfered in her office, which she raised in the weeks before Ms Palaszczuk’s referral to the EGC, Ms Palaszczuk said she only became aware following a Courier-Mail report last September.

It comes as a senior Labor source said they would welcome a review into the resources and independence of some of the state’s statutory bodies because it would prove there had been a “dramatic improvement” under the Palaszczuk Government.

“I think there could be some merit in a wider review to look at the processes and resources of the independent bodies,” they said.

“A review into the resourcing, the budget and maybe the independence could be done.”

The comments follow a raft of recent complaints from statutory offices, including the Integrity Commissioner, that claimed they lacked proper independence from government departments.