Crime watchdog to continue probe into corrupt conduct allegations against David Barbagallo

Queensland’s corruption watchdog says it will make more inquiries as it continues to assess corrupt conduct allegations levelled at Annastacia Palaszczuk’s former chief of staff.

QUEENSLAND’S corruption watchdog says it has more inquiries to make as it continues its assessment of corrupt conduct allegations levelled at Annastacia Palaszczuk’s former chief of staff.

The Crime and Corruption Commission issued a statement “in the public interest” regarding its probe into the $267,500 taxpayer-funded coinvestment awarded to a company part-owned by David Barbagallo - Fortress Capstone - to create a smartphone app.

It comes after the CCC was last month handed a copy of Ernst and Young’s external review of the Advance Queensland Business Development fund coinvestment awarded to Fortress Capstone, ordered by the Department of Premier and Cabinet after the funding was revealed during this year’s Budget Estimates hearings.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk with former chief of staff David Barbagallo. Picture: Jono Searle/AAP

“The CCC has considered the review report obtained by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (through an external company) with respect to the grant allocation process and how it related to Fortress Capstone Pty Ltd,” the CCC said in a statement.

“The CCC considers that further enquiries need to be made in relation to the matter.

“The CCC does not intend to comment further until it has finished dealing with the matter.”

Mr Barbagallo left the chief of staff’s job last month.

Ms Palaszczuk insisted his departure was not related to the integrity saga surrounding the funding.

She said Mr Barbagallo had informed her in June, before the revelations came to light.

Mr Barbagallo has denied any wrongdoing and says he declared his interest as required and withdrew his involvement in the application process when he joined the Premier’s office in 2017.

Originally published as Crime watchdog to continue probe into corrupt conduct allegations against David Barbagallo