‘Where there’s smoke, there’s fire’: Government MPs raise fears on Palaszczuk government’s integrity saga

Deputy Premier Steven Miles has claimed a royal commission into the state government’s integrity is held ‘every single day’ as several Labor MPs open up about the ‘confronting’ crisis.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles has made the sensational claim the Crime and Corruption Commission holds a royal commission into integrity “every single day” as he shut down ‘mud slinging’ by the Opposition leader.

Mr Miles said he talks everyday to “our MPs” and “they are never backwards in what they think and they have never expressed views of concern.”

It comes after several Labor MPs told The Courier-Mail the integrity issue had not yet become a major focus of constituents but acknowledged it could seriously wound the government if it was allowed to drag on.

“Obviously the continued mud being slung by the opposition leader – our MPs would prefer not to see that – but they know and if you look further at those quotes they indicated that the government is following the appropriate process in every case,” Mr Miles said.

“We have a royal commission into integrity every single day – that’s the CCC, that’s the CCC’s job.”

“Every single matter that has been raised either has been investigated or is being investigated by the appropriate body – in many cases the CCC.”

“I understand there have been questions about the CCC and they are legitimate and that has been looked at in detail by the CCC and we have adopted all of those recommendations.”

“But once you address the concerns about the CCC itself, it is the CCC which is the standing body, who is the most appropriate place to investigate all of these other matters that have been raised.”

Mr Miles said “a lot of mud has been slung and things have been said but at the end of the day there is no new evidence provided by the leader of the opposition that would justify any of the claims that he has been making, they are all either been investigated or in the process of being investigated “

He said “even the anonymous remarks quoted today” suggested the government was “doing the right thing and handling them through the due process”.

Mr Miles said none of these issues (with integrity) “go to the Premier or her performance.

“She is doing a great job and I want to work with her every single day.”

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Deputy Premier Steven Miles at a press conference at Incitec Pivot on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Former legal services commissioner Bob Brittan this week became the third current or former integrity officer to call for an independent inquiry into allegations of poor governance and malpractice.

The growing chorus of calls for a widespread inquiry into integrity has fuelled concern among some government MPs, who fear the issue will continue to distract from their agenda.

One experienced Labor MP declared the growing question of integrity was “the most confronting thing our government has faced” since Annastacia Palaszczuk was elected in 2015.

“I think it’s concerning – usually where there’s smoke there’s fire,” they said.

“All of the correct processes are being put in place, we’ve just got to see how it plays out.

“It certainly isn’t reading well.”

Another said it was a “complex” issue which was not well understood by voters, but acknowledged the government should not let it drag on.

Another Labor MP said the complaints made by the three integrity officers had individually been assessed, but when put together could create concerns.

“We need to just resolve it and get on with it and get the reviews done,” they said.

One government MP also suggested the Integrity Commissioner should have more resourcing.

Ms Palaszczuk’s director-general will have a month to finalise her report into allegations raised by former state archivist Mike Summerell – with the findings set to be made public.

The Department of Premier and Cabinet unveiled the terms of reference into the review on Friday, revealing Rachel Hunter’s scope of work and how she will conduct her review.

The terms of reference reveal the review will look into three allegations, including claims by Mr Summerell that he was “pressured” to remove any content that could be perceived negatively in the drafts of the 2017-18 and 2018-19 Queensland State Archives’ annual reports.

The review will also examine allegations that his attempts to raise concerns through the annual report were interfered with in both 2017-18 and 2019-20.

It will also examine allegations that, for two years, Mr Summerell was directed to create misleading annual reports to parliament by then Department of Housing and Public Works’ senior officials to “avoid anything embarrassing or damaging to the government”.

The review will be finalised by March 4, dependent on the “volume and nature of material under consideration”.

It will also consider if there are any matters that involve, or may involve, corrupt conduct that require referral to the Crime and Corruption Commission.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Deputy Premier Steven Miles on Friday claimed the Opposition was “throwing mud” and shut down suggestions he would move to replace Ms Palaszczuk as Premier as the integrity scandal continues to plague the government.

Mr Miles insisted the “appropriate path” for the unravelling saga was already under way, which was for the accusations of interference of public documents for the purpose of political gain be investigated.

“All of the issues that have been raised over the last couple of weeks have either been referred to the appropriate organisation and being investigated or are in the process of being referred,” he said.

“If anyone has new evidence or new facts then they too should be forwarded to the appropriate entity.”

Former Queensland Attorney-General Dean Wells, who was instrumental in implementing the recommendations of the first Fitzgerald Inquiry, said it was vital the government and public institutions were kept in-check.

“Every jurisdiction needs a Fitzgerald-style inquiry every generation – all power tends to corrupt,” he said.

“Elected representatives have to account to the people every election but public service institutions don’t and some of our most important ones have a very high level of operational independence.

“Some have evolved over time, and are very different from how they were after the first Fitzgerald Inquiry.”

Mr Wells praised the government for introducing a second Fitzgerald Inquiry and said if Mr Fitzgerald “thinks he needs his terms of reference expanded, I am sure he will ask for that”.

Mr Crisafulli said it was “beyond untenable” for the government to deny launching an inquiry into integrity concerns.

“The conga line of credible people who are calling for a proper Royal Commission … is growing and is unavoidable,” he said.

“The government has no other credible choice but to step up and agree to it.

“I do hope the Premier grasps how serious these calls are.”

Despite the Crime and Corruption Commission being embroiled in controversy and the Premier launching an inquiry into the body, Mr Miles said it remained the best institution to handle complaints.

Griffith University Professor AJ Brown questioned whether there were systemic integrity issues within the government, declaring the push for an inquiry a “very wide and broad issue”.

“I don’t think it works to roll these things into one mega inquiry,” he said.

However, Mr Brown said there was a risk of long-term governments engaging in an “incumbency-induced groupthink that works against, proper, fair independent and accountable government”.

“It’s no surprise that would manifest in ways which need to be corrected,” he said.

Mr Brown raised concerns about the “somewhat distracted” CCC having the capacity to properly consider complaints, but said it remained the best agency to deal with serious matters.