Queensland Treasurer Jackie Trad stands aside as CCC investigated hiring of school principal

Queensland’s Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad has stood aside from ministerial duties as a corruption probe gets under way.

Queensland Treasurer Jackie Trad will relinquish her ministerial duties amid allegations she helped recruit a Brisbane school principal.

A corruption probe is under way, Ms Trad confirmed in a brief statement on Saturday morning.

“Late yesterday I was advised by the CCC (Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission) that they are conducting an investigation into the recruitment and selection process for the principal of the Inner City South State Secondary College,” she said.

“Subsequently last night I advised the Premier.

“I will co-operate fully with this investigation.

“It will provide me with an opportunity to set the record straight with this matter.

“Let me be clear – no applicant to the principal position was known to me in any capacity, personally, political or professional.”

Queensland Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad has stood aside from ministerial duties. Picture: Dan Peled/AAP

The investigation relates to a foundation principal role that publicised in January in Ms Trad’s inner city electorate.

A five-person panel was set up to select a candidate and an order of merit was established through that initial recruitment process, with the department setting up a meeting with Ms Trad and the highest-ranked candidate.

The panel signed off on the appointment, but new modelling then showed the school would be bigger and require an executive principal, so no job offer was made.

The position was advertised again, and the department once again arranged for Ms Trad to meet a candidate before they were then hired.

However, LNP education spokesman Jarrod Bleiji said it was inappropriate, and referred allegations Ms Trad interfered to the CCC.