Sacked official slams Palaszczuk government in third integrity bombshell in three days

Terminated state archivist Mike Summerell has broken his silence on the inner workings of the Queensland public service. READ THE FULL STATEMENT.

Terminated state archivist Mike Summerell has delivered a damning assessment of the inner workings of the Palaszczuk Government, driven by a culture in which public servants protect the government from embarrassment and MPs have no interest in transparency.

Breaking his silence, Mr Summerell has drafted an explosive statement detailing how he was blocked from properly doing his job for more than three years from 2017 – the year he shot to prominence through his assessment of the Mark Bailey mangocube integrity saga.

And he reveals he too was driven to make a Crime and Corruption Commission complaint about “matters relating to potential inappropriate interference in my statutory role on multiple occasions” – an action also taken by outgoing Integrity Commissioner Nikola Stepanov.

In comments that will rock the government, Mr Summerell was scathing of public servants and politicians who believed it their right to choose what information to release, arguing just because something was “embarrassing or damaging to the government” didn’t mean it should be hidden.

He called for an “inquiry into integrity in the Queensland Government”, widening calls from Ms Stepanov for an investigation into public service interference in her office.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE MIKE SUMMERELL’S FULL STATEMENT

Mike Summerell has drafted an explosive statement detailing how he was blocked from properly doing his job for more than three years from 2017.

He said he had been deprived of independent legal advice related to investigations, potential prosecutions and his independence under the Public Records Act while in his independent role.

He lambasted laws as “completely inadequate to ensure the integrity of the public record in Queensland” and suspected that was the case in many areas of integrity governance.

“Sadly, those who perhaps have most to fear from a renewed drive for integrity in government are the only ones with the power to strengthen the legislation supporting integrity in government in Queensland,” he wrote.

In another damning blow to a government elected on the promise of integrity and accountability, he wrote: “In my experience politicians have absolutely no interest in promoting transparency and accountability in government.”

“I long to be proved wrong and I would welcome the opportunity to share my experiences in such an inquiry, should it be commissioned.”

He said his own integrity and independence ultimately cost him his job in March last year, contradicting the government’s assertion that he chose to go.

The revelation raises questions around whether then-arts minister Leanne Enoch misled parliament when she told it “the state archivist chose to not continue” and had “made his own personal decisions” about his career.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Pics Adam Head

Meanwhile, Mr Summerell said the public service wrongly acted as a shield for the government.

“For many senior public servants in Queensland the concept of an impartial, apolitical and professional public service is career suicide,” Mr Summerell said.

“The concept of acting in the public good at all times as a guiding principle has been seemingly long lost.

“If the public good is in conflict with the political good of the government of the day, acting against the political interest of the government for many would be a step they could not afford to take given their own responsibilities or ambitions as individuals.

“The more senior they become the more challenging it becomes.”

He said he had chosen to speak out now following the resignations of Ms Stepanov and CCC chair Alan MacSporran, who were “individuals of the highest integrity and professionalism”.

“In contrast to the Integrity Commissioner and the chair of the CCC, I did not actually resign, I was simply told my contract would not be extended,” he said.

“My own opinion is that my stance on matters of integrity and the independence of the office of the State Archivist were primary factors in that decision.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Thursday resisted Ms Stepanov’s calls for an investigation into meddling in her office.

“The CCC is already looking into certain matters,” her spokesman said.

But Opposition Leader David Crisafulli wanted a “full and independent” inquiry into the claims.

“Integrity matters, accountability matters, and the actions that we have seen in recent times demand what the Integrity Commissioner has had the ticker to call for,” he said.