Qlders urged to trust gov above corruption buster over controversial appointment

Seven ministers have now thrown their support behind the appointment of John Sosso to help redraw electorate boundaries, despite concerns from legendary corruption buster.

Director General John Sosso. Photo: Philip Norrish

Seven ministers now say Queenslanders should trust the government above corruption buster Tony Fitzgerald over the appointment of John Sosso to help redraw electorate boundaries.

Mr Fitzgerald issued a rare missive on Saturday when he warned Queensland might be reverting to the bad old days of biased electoral boundaries with the suggestion Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning director-general Mr Sosso should be appointed to the independent Queensland Redistribution Commission.

Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber on Tuesday joined the chorus of government heads backing Mr Sosso.

Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber. Photo: Steve Pohlner

She appeared to ignore Mr Fitzgerald’s comments and instead attacked the Labor opposition.

“Besmirching a public servant who has served for over four decades, both sides of politics, faithfully and done a great job in the state is a blight on the Labor government,” she said.

“His reputation is above reproach. It is not in question.”

Treasurer David Janetzki said a director-general needed to be appointed to the QRC alongside Queensland Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen and barrister Gregory Koppenol.

“The process is clear, it’s prescribed by legislation and you know I’m sure all people involved in the process will act with appropriate professionalism,” he said.

Olympics Minister Tim Mander was the seventh minister – after Premier David Crisafulli, Mr Sosso’s minister Jarrod Bleijie, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington, Housing Minister Sam O’Connor, Mr Janetzki and Ms Gerber – to back the director-general’s appointment.

“John is a respected public servant who has worked for both sides of politics over many years,” he said.

Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington.

“He has served premiers from both sides of politics and his reputation is beyond reproach.”

The government has argued Mr Sosso has worked for both Labor and the LNP, with Mr Bleijie noting Mr Sosso applied to become a member of the Labor Party in 1972.

Mr Sosso was a solicitor who first joined the Department of Justice in 1984 during the Bjelke-Petersen government, but remained as a public servant during the Wayne Goss government.

He served as deputy director-general in Nationals premier Rob Borbidge’s Department of Premier and Cabinet from 1996-98.

He also served as Department of Justice director-general during the Newman government.

Originally published as Qlders urged to trust gov above corruption buster over controversial appointment