Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad to seek advice from Integrity Commissioner over house purchase

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad will seek advice from the Integrity Commissioner over a potential conflict of interest from the purchase of a house as the leader of the Opposition calls for the matter to be referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission.

DEPUTY Premier Jackie Trad will seek advice from the Integrity Commissioner as to whether she has a conflict of interest over the purchase of a property that stands to reap gains from Cross River Rail and a new school.

The Courier-Mail revealed today Ms Trad failed to properly declare a home purchased in Woolloongabba, in her electorate, that is set to increase in value as a result of the $5.4 billion rail project she is spearheading.

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Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington called on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to refer the matter for investigation by the Crime and Corruption Commission.

She said if Ms Palaszczuk did not make the referral, she would.

“There needs to be a full investigation into the conduct of the Treasurer of Queensland.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk needs to refer this matter the CCC for a full investigation.

“If Annastacia Palaszczuk won’t show leadership and refer this matter to the CCC, I will.”

Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad says she admits the formal declaration should have been made earlier.

Ms Trad dismissed suggestions she was seeking to personally gain from the CRR project or the new school Labor is building nearby.

“The house that has been purchased has been purchased by my husband,” she said.

“The CRR project is a project that has been around for more than 10 years.

“The idea of additional stations and upgraded stations in the Boggo Road precinct has been out in the public domain for eight years.”

She said the home was also already in the state high catchment.

Ms Trad said she properly declared the property yesterday afternoon following calls from The Courier-Mail.

The property in Woolloongabba.

She said she had advised the Clerk of Parliament in early May that changes were coming.

But admitted the formal declaration should have been made earlier.

“I make no bones about that and I am deeply apologetic and sorry for it but as I said the allegations by the LNP that there is some conspiracy here is just not true.

“This is a house in an inner city area like other purchases that have been made...and all properties in many inner city areas are going to gain value and hat is just a result of a high level of demand.”

Ms Trad said she would talk to the Integrity Commissioner about whether a conflict existed “but this property was purchased a long time after decisions had been made in relation to these projects.”

State Development Minister Cameron Dick defended Jackie Trad, stating there wasn’t a conflict of interest.

However he did take a swipe at Opposition frontbencher Jarrod Bleijie after he called for an investigation, claiming it was “a little bit pot kettle”.

Mr Dick said Ms Trad had his full support.

Meanwhile Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch wouldn’t be drawn on questions about this morning’s revelations, instead referring to Ms Trad’s press conference held earlier today.

“I don’t think there’s any comment further for me on that,” she said.

“I think you should have a look at what the Deputy Premier has said on that.”