Alan MacSporran’s resignation ‘just the beginning’ according to the LGAQ

The Palaszczuk government is considering a review into the CCC, with some tipping the resignation of its chair is a clear sign of things to come.

A commission of inquiry into the unbridled powers of the state’s major crime-fighting watchdog will be considered by the government as Annastacia Palaszczuk insists she played no part in the sudden resignation of Alan MacSporran this week.

Cabinet had sought advice about the future of Mr MacSporran’s tenure as CCC chairman, and government ministers are understood to have been blindsided by his shock resignation on Wednesday after seven weeks of ignoring calls to quit.

Ms Palaszczuk insists the government did not suggest Mr MacSporran resign and said his position was not discussed at Cabinet’s meeting on Monday.

The government will consider launching a commission of inquiry into the CCC – which was recommended in the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee’s bombshell report into the organisation – over the next month.

“It’s a very serious report and I said very clearly that Cabinet would be considering that before parliament returns,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“The government’s response is due in March so we’re well within our time frames.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the government did not pressure Alan MacSporran to resign. Picture: Evan Morgan

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman will this week name the acting chairman and start the recruitment process for a permanent replacement in the revered role.

Sources within Queensland’s legal fraternity say the next CCC boss would likely be a retired Supreme Court judge or a senior crown prosecutor.

They said it would be advantageous for the CCC to be led by someone with a “strong prosecutorial background” to ease concerns about the watchdog’s poor prosecution rate.

At least one dozen local government figures, including fallen Moreton and Ipswich mayors Allan Sutherland and Andrew Antoniolli, have had their charges dropped or been found not guilty following CCC investigations.

LGAQ President Mark Jamieson said Mr MacSporran’s resignation should be the start of widespread change within the CCC. Picture: Cade Mooney

Local Government Association of Queensland President Mark Jamieson said Mr MacSporran’s resignation should be “just the beginning” and called for him to apologise to the mayors and councillors.

Mr Jamieson urged the government to accept the recommendation for a full review into a CCC’s powers and said an independent interim chair should be appointed while the inquiry is undertaken.

The Palaszczuk Government has a raft of critical vacancies to fill including the Chief Justice, CCC chairman and Integrity Commissioner roles.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said it had been an “extraordinary week” in Queensland with the resignation of Mr MacSporran and Integrity Commissioner Nikola Stepanov.

“They’re important institutions and right now two of our major crime and structural institutions are rudderless – they are key roles and both people running those organisations have walked out the door and the premier doesn’t grasp the magnitude of that,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“Government is in peoples’ lives like never before – it is important that people have faith in the institution and those keeping people with power to account.”

Alan MacSporran will leave the CCC on Friday after more than seven years in the role. Photographer: Liam Kidston

Ms Palaszczuk on Wednesday would not be drawn on Mr MacSporran’s reasons for resignation or whether it should have been made weeks earlier.

“This is a serious matter, it’s a serious decision and it’s a decision he’s made, and that’s up to him,” she said.

“I think the public wants to have absolute confidence in the anti-corruption watchdog in this state.”

The Premier – who when appointing Mr MacSporran in July 2015 labelled him the “best person for the job” – on Wednesday declined to reflect his service.

“He has served in that capacity for many years and I’m not going to seek to have any further comment on that,” she said.