Jackie Trad blames poor paperwork protocols for Cross River Rail house scandal

In an exclusive interview with Sky News Across Australia, Jackie Trad has revealed exactly what was to blame for the Cross River Rail house purchase scandal. WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW NOW

FORMER deputy premier Jackie Trad says she is not dishonest and blamed the Gabba house purchase scandal on “poor paperwork protocols”.

In an exclusive interview with Sky News Across Australia, Ms Trad said she and her husband Damien Van Brunschot did not talk about the house purchase before he invested in the property.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

He paid $600,000 for the house, which is within Ms Trad’s electorate of South Brisbane.

Jackie Trad resigns amid corruption probe

Reaction to Jackie Trad resignation

Jackie Trad: Former treasurer exits tower of power

Former deputy premier Jackie Trad says poor paperwork protocols, not dishonesty, were to blame for the Gabba house purchase scandal. Picture: Peter Wallis

She was in charge of Cross River Rail when the house was bought, sparking a Crime and Corruption Commission probe. It found she was not in breach of existing criminal laws but recommended tightening them after the scandal.

She has since resigned from cabinet as deputy premier and treasurer after the CCC confirmed a probe into a teacher appointment within her electorate.

“My husband bought this house, he did so and he told me after the fact,” Ms Trad said.

“I’m not claiming that he hid this from me for six weeks, that is not what I’m claiming. Damien brought the house, he bought the house as an investment. He made the decision and he told me after the fact.”

Ms Trad said she had apologised to her family and electorate of South Brisbane for “this mess’’ and she wanted to make it clear that it was poor clerical protocols that contributed, not dishonesty.

“I value integrity above everything else,’’ she said.

“I did not do this on purpose. I filled out all the necessary paperwork and gave a verbal undertaking to the Registrar about the third form. I then took six weeks to put it in writing and that’s where the trouble was.’’

Ms Trad resigned after the Crime and Corruption Commission launched an investigation into claims she interfered with the recruitment of a school principal in her electorate. Picture: Glenn Hunt

Ms Trad said she was the underdog to win the seat of South Brisbane, because the LNP was preferencing the Greens.

But if she won her seat and the Palaszczuk Government was returned, she would not rule out another stint in Cabinet.

“That’s up to the premier and caucus,’’ she said.

Asked if she regretted telling miners to re-skill before the last federal election, she said:

“That was taken out of context. This government is a big supporter of mining and the coal industry.’’

Originally published as Jackie Trad blames poor paperwork protocols for Cross River Rail house scandal