SRL Authority CEO Frankie Carroll implicated in major corruption probe after damning report revealed in Queensland parliament

Frankie Carroll, chief executive of the Suburban Rail Loop Authority, has been stung in a major corruption probe after a damning report was tabled in Queensland parliament.

Suburban Rail Loop Authority chief executive, Frankie Carroll, was this week unveiled as central to the bombshell Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission probe. Picture: Annette Dew

The chief of the authority tasked with delivering the Suburban Rail Loop has been implicated in a major corruption probe.

Suburban Rail Loop Authority chief executive, Frankie Carroll, was this week unveiled as central to the bombshell Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission probe which investigated his appointment to a senior public service role in that state.

Before landing the plum $680,000-plus job as SRLA chief, Mr Carroll worked as the Director-General of Queensland’s Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and was also chief executive of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority charged with rebuilding the state after major disasters.

But it was his role as Queensland Under Treasurer which was central to the CCC investigation which was launched amid allegations former deputy premier Jackie Trad interfered with the recruitment process to ensure Mr Carroll was hired for the role.

A damning report found Mr Carroll was “not appointable” for the position, but landed the job following inappropriate interference with the independent recruitment panel. Picture: Suburban Rail Loop Authority

A damning report – tabled in the Queensland parliament this week – found Mr Carroll was “not appointable” for the position, but landed the job following inappropriate interference with the independent recruitment panel by Ms Trad.

A draft selection panel report found Mr Carroll was “was considered to be a leader better suited to a delivery environment, as opposed to one such as Treasury where complex matters of policy need to be considered and resolved. Consequently he was considered not appointable.”

But that report was later changed by former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Director-General Dave Stewart after what he described as “extremely aggressive” lobbying by Ms Trad.

The report found Ms Trad “inappropriately interfered with the selection process and Mr Stewart amended candidate three’s status in order to change his suitability for appointment”

“That position, regardless of what process of recruitment and selection is chosen, is unacceptable,” the report said.

The report made no adverse findings about Mr Carroll.

A Victorian Government spokesperson distanced Mr Carroll from the report.

“This is a report into a former MP from another state. Any questions about that report are a matter for them,” he said.

“The Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA) CEO was appointed following a process managed by an independent executive recruitment firm, and advice from the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal.”

The state government, which has so far set aside $11.5bn towards the first stage known as SRL East, is banking on the Commonwealth to match that commitment. Picture: Supplied

The SRLA recorded its third annual operating loss last financial year, recording a deficit of $2.981m – its largest to date.

At the same time employee expenses ballooned from $42m to $57m, including four senior executives each earning more than $500,000 a year.

The Allan government has come under increasing pressure to stall the delivery of the $34.5bn first stage of the project, including from ratings agencies who have repeatedly raised funding concerns.

Last week the Albanese government finally released a $2.2bn project contribution it promised at the last federal election but has committed no further funding.

The state government, which has so far set aside $11.5bn towards the first stage known as SRL East, is banking on the Commonwealth to match that commitment.