Jackie Trad could face action by Annastacia Palaszczuk

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has indicated she could sanction Treasurer Jackie Trad if she is found to have breached ministerial guidelines.

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk says she could take “independent action” against Treasurer Jackie Trad should she be found to have breached the ministerial code of conduct over a contentious Woolloongabba investment property.

But she said it was too early to say what that might be, insisting she would wait for the Crime and Corruption Commission to report back first.

Jackie Trad conflict of interest claimed by LNP in submission to watchdog

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk kept in dark on Jackie Trad’s investment home

Who will act as Treasurer if Jackie Trad steps aside?

“That’s something that I take very seriously in relation to the ministerial code of conduct,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“I am going to wait until the assessment is carried out by the CCC because sometimes those assessments ... they also make recommendations.

“When they look at these issues they look at everything.

“They may look at the issues of the pecuniary interest register.

“They may look at the Cabinet handbook.

“Let’s take one step at a time.

“Then I will look at what ever the CCC says and then I may take independent action as well.”

Ms Palaszczuk added: “I am not prejudging anyone here. I think everyone needs to take a cold shower and just wait until the assessment is done by the CCC.”

But Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington called on Ms Palaszczuk to take action against Ms Trad now, given her failure to declare the house on the register of interests within the time frame was a breach of the ministerial code of conduct.

“Jackie Trad should be stood aside, irrespective of the outcome of the CCC,” Ms Frecklington said.

“Jackie Trad has breached the Cabinet handbook.

“When Mark Bailey did it (breached the handbook) and was called foolish by the CCC, Annastacia Palaszczuk very proudly said she was going to rewrite the ministerial code and the Cabinet handbook and she was going to set a very high standard for her ministers.

“But now when Jackie Trad, the most powerful politician in Queensland, breaches the code, Annastaica Palaszczuk has thrown her hands up in the air and said ‘don’t look here’.

“The integrity scandal is an embarassment for Queensland.”