Queensland government calls inquiry into corruption watchdog

Annastacia Palaszczuk has ordered an inquiry into crime and corruption in Queensland, announcing a high profile recruit.

Legendary judge Tony Fitzgerald QC – who in 1989 led a landmark inquiry into Queensland government corruption – has been tapped to lead a new probe into the state’s embattled Crime and Corruption Commission.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Monday announced a “Fitzgerald inquiry 2.0” amid serious concerns over the culture and practices of the state’s corruption watchdog, the independent body at the centre of a scathing report in late 2021.

Ms Palaszczuk’s government had been under pressure to act on the CCC after sitting for a number of weeks on the December 2 report tabled by the parliamentary crime and corruption committee.

The Premier has also faced intense scrutiny over a number of other integrity issues in recent weeks, including allegations that members of the public service had interfered with the work of other senior officials.

On Monday Ms Palaszczuk moved to “ease the pressure valve”, according to opponents, in announcing Mr Fitzgerald as the man to lead a probe into the CCC alongside retired Supreme Court judge Alan Wilson QC.

Tony Fitzgerald QC with then Premier Mike Ahern and the commission of inquiry report in 1989.

“It is clear a review of the CCC is needed,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Who better than Tony Fitzgerald to conduct it?”

Ms Palaszczuk sai the appointment of Mr Fitzgerald was not a knee-jerk plan and had been in the works for a number of weeks.

Mr Fitzgerald, of course, headed the historic inquiry that uncovered systemic corruption in Queensland 35 years ago that led to the resignation of the Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, as well as the jailing of several ministers and a police commissioner.

He established the Criminal Justice Commission, later renamed the CCC, to continue the work of his inquiry.

The Premier said Mr Fitzgerald would conduct the commission of inquiry as recommended by the parliamentary crime and corruption committee.

The review is expected to take six months, with the terms of reference based on recommendation six of the PCCC report.

This includes an examination of the CCC’s investigatory and charging functions, and the role of seconded police officers at the CCC.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Monday announced a ‘Fitzgerald inquiry 2.0’. Picture: Richard Walker

Among other things, CCC chairman Alan MacSporran was accused of failing to ensure the organisation acted independently and impartially in its handling of an investigation into Logan City Council.

The CCC’s prosecution of eight Logan councillors failed spectacularly last year when fraud charges were discontinued.

There have been more than 20 failed prosecutions initiated by the watchdog over the past three years.

The December 2 report did not ask Mr MacSporran to resign – although he did so last week – but PCCC chair and Scenic Rim MP Jon Krause did recommend a commission of inquiry into the CCC for its actions.

Opposition leader David Crisafulli last week called specifically for a “Fitzgerald inquiry 2.0” as the government faced questions on its integrity, including allegations it interfered with the work of senior state officials.

Former Federal Court judge and anti-corruption commissioner Tony Fitzgerald QC is back to lead a new inquiry.

On Monday he said the inquiry into the CCC alone did not go far enough and called for the probe to be widened to encompass the whole government.

“The Premier is willing to subject the CCC to scrutiny but she‘s not willing to do the same for the actions of herself and her government,” he said.

“We‘ve got a report that addresses one of the fires that’s engulfing the government. It‘s a report into one element.

“Queenslanders aren’t going to cop it. This isn’t what it’s been called for by Queenslanders. It’s designed to release the pressure after a horror week for the government.”