Annastacia Palaszczuk won’t rule out asking Jackie Trad to stand aside

The state Opposition have written to the boss of the state’s corruption watchdog asking for an independent QC to be appointed to handle matters involving Deputy Premier Jackie Trad.

QUEENSLAND’S LNP Opposition has penned a letter to the boss of the state’s corruption watchdog asking him to consider stepping aside from matters involving Deputy Premier Jackie Trad.

It follows Ms Trad’s Budget Estimates revelation she contacted Crime and Corruption Commission chair Alan MacSporran on Sunday, just days after the LNP had referred her to the CCC over a contentious Woolloongabba investment property and a day before she also referred herself.

LNP frontbencher David Janetzki today revealed he had written to Mr MacSporran asking for an independent QC to be appointed to handle the matter instead.

“In my view the Deputy Premier’s decision to call you was inappropriate and has compromised the CCC’s assessment of the complaint against her,” Mr Janetzki wrote.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad speaks during estimate hearings this week. Picture: Jono Searle/AAP

“Without any reflection on you or your role as Chairman of the CCC, I ask you to consider stepping aside from the Deputy Premier assessment and any investigation.

“It is a matter for you as how you choose to manage this issue but I suggest that engaging an independent Queens Counsel for this for this matter would be appropriate.

“This will preserve and protect the public perception of the CCC, which has been compromised by the Deputy Premier, and ensure that public confidence in Queensland’s most important integrity agency is not undermined.”

CCC Chair Alan MacSporran said he would wait until tomorrow’s Budget Estimates hearing - where he is set to appear - before responding to the LNP’s request.

“I expect to be asked questions during tomorrow’s estimates hearing about the content and the appropriateness of the phone call from the Deputy Premier,” He said in a statement.

“Considering this matter was first raised in an estimates hearing, I will not be making any public statement about this matter and the subsequent suggestions that my independence, or this agency’s independence, has been compromised until I appear before the estimates hearing myself.

“I can assure you the CCC is committed to combating major crime and reducing corruption for the benefit of all Queenslanders.”

Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) chairman Alan MacSporran fronts a budget estimates hearing at Queensland Parliament House. Picture: AAP/Dan Peled

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk hasn’t ruled out asking Ms Trad to stand aside if the CCC launches an investigation about her purchase of the Woolloongabba property.

Ms Palaszczuk today confirmed Transport Minister Mark Bailey will now oversee the multi-billion dollar Cross River Rail project after Ms Trad removed herself from overseeing it while the matter was being considered by the CCC.

When asked if she would ask Ms Trad to stand aside if the CCC launched an investigation into the matter, Ms Palaszczuk said it was “not at that stage at the moment”.

“I don’t even know if it’s under assessment yet, because it’s been forwarded so I’ll wait to see what the information is,” she said.

“At the moment it hasn’t even been assessed, so let’s wait and see where it’s at.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has ruled out asking Jackie Trad to step aside. Picture: AAP Image/Jono Searle

Mr Bailey had previously been sidelined from his ministerial duties in 2017 while the CCC investigated his use of a private email account.

He was later cleared of any corrupt conduct.

Ms Trad has been under pressure since The Courier-Mail revealed last week that she and her husband had purchased a $695,500 Woolloongabba home along the route of Cross River Rail earlier this year.

She has committed to sell the property for no profit.

The Premier today said “people needed to make sure that their paperwork is up to date”.

“(Ms Trad) has apologised for that and all members know their obligations,” she said.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad Would also not rule out the possibility she could stand aside should the CCC decide to launch an investigation.

“Let’s deal with that if it happens,” Ms Trad said, adding she would make further statements should that occur.

She would not say if she regretted her decision to phone CCC chair Alan Macsporran at the weekend after she had been referred to the watchdog by the Opposition and just a day before she referred herself.

“All of the matters are before the CCC. I will let them do their job,” she said.