WATCH: ‘Extraordinarily creative’ - Bailey faces intense integrity grilling

Transport Minister Mark Bailey has copped a grilling from journalists about the government integrity crisis, even rejecting questions as ‘extraordinarily creative’. SEE THE VIDEO

Transport Minister Mark Bailey has copped a grilling from journalists at today’s press conference over the Palaszczuk government’s integrity crisis, as he labelled one reporter’s line of questioning “extraordinarily creative.”

Mr Bailey was questioned by journalists over the current integrity crisis and his own 2017 Mangocube email scandal, repeatedly saying ‘this was five years ago’.

Mr Bailey was accused of using his private [e-mail] email for official business in breach of the Public Records Act and was also under investigation for his attempt to delete the account after it was exposed in 2017.

He was sidelined until a Crime and Corruption investigation cleared him of any criminal conduct.

In the wake of other ministers now embroiled in the integrity scandal following complaints by four whistleblowing former public service officials, Mr Bailey was asked “what was it like to take a bullet for your colleagues back in 2017?”.

“These matters were fully canvassed in 2017, it’s 2022,” he responded.

Mark Bailey was questioned over integrity issues. Photo: Annette Dew

“A complaint was made, it was fully investigated and the matter was closed with no case to answer. This matter has been well and truly canvassed and thoroughly looked at.”

He said every single email was looked at by the CCC.

“They are an independent standing royal commission. If they had any issue I’m sure they would have looked at it further. But they came to a conclusion on this in September 2017,” he said.

“I know the LNP are out there throwing mud. But let’s be really clear, every integrity measure the Palaszczuk Government has put up to the parliament, David Crisafulli has voted against.... It has been the LNP that has voted against every integrity measure in the parliament and they have no credibility on this issue.”

Mr Bailey shot back at a reporter who asked if Deputy Premier Steven Miles would make a good Premier.

“Well I think your line of questioning is extraordinarily creative but it’s not really based in reality," he said.

Graham Newton CEO Cross River Rail, Cameron Dick and Mark Bailey at the Cross river rail . Photo: Annette Dew

Mr Bailey rejected a wider inquiry into integrity was required.

“We’ve got very robust institutions in this state and have for three decades, unlike the federal government, who refuse to legislate an independent commission against corruption, we’ve had one for three decades.... our record is very clear,” he said

The questioning comes as a former senior public official, allegedly made a scapegoat for exposing flaws in the justice system that included a serious offender escaping detention, pleaded for a proper integrity inquiry into the Palaszczuk government so she can reveal the truth about her treatment.

In an explosive statement revealed by the Courier Mail, Vanda Wieczorkowski, director of the Forensic Disability Service in Wacol from April 2015 to June 2019, said she would welcome the opportunity to give evidence to an independent inquiry because Queensland taxpayers deserved answers.

Former state archivist Mike Summerell, outgoing integrity commissioner Nikola Stepanov and former legal affairs commissioner Bob Brittan have all raised concerns of interference.