Premier's chief of staff received $267,000 taxpayer-funded grant

A $267,000 Queensland government grant was awarded to a company part-owned by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's chief of staff David Barbagallo.

During the first day of estimates hearings on Tuesday, it was revealed the Palaszczuk government awarded an Advance Queensland business development fund payment to Fortress Capstone Pty Ltd in 2017-18 for the development of an app called CruiseTraka.

Annastacia Palaszczuk was asked whether she was aware that her chief of staff's company had been given the grant.Credit: Jono Searle/AAP

An ASIC search reveals Mr Barbagallo has been a director of Fortress Capstone since 2007 and holds a stake in the company with his wife.

Ms Palaszczuk said funding decisions were made independent of ministers and cabinet and the company was declared on Mr Barbagallo's pecuniary interests register.

She said Mr Barbagallo had sought advice from integrity commissioner Nikola Stepanov.

Ms Palaszczuk also committed to holding an audit.

"I am happy for clarity to do an audit to ensure that all processes were followed," she said.

"I know the chief of staff is absolutely rigorous in making sure that processes are followed."

Ms Palaszczuk clarified the payment was not a "grant" but was a "co-investment fund", and said an independent panel made final investment decisions.

"There are no government representatives on the investment panel, members make an independent investment decision," she said.

Jackie Trad has referred herself to the Crime and Corruption Commission over her purchase of a Brisbane property.Credit: Glenn Hunt/AAP

"The chief of staff advised me last year that a company had been successful and all measures were in place."

CruiseTraka is described as a "smartphone-based solution used by passengers to share their cruise experience with family and friends back home in almost real time via social media and email".

LNP leader Deb Frecklington said the funding "doesn't pass the integrity test".

It was also revealed allegations had been raised about misappropriation of Trade and Investment Queensland money in Korea by a "locally engaged staff" member.

In an answer to a question on notice, Ms Palaszczuk said the "prosecution of the matter is still ongoing in Korea".

Earlier, Clerk Neil Laurie said parliament's rules did not stop MPs from speaking about issues that were referred to the CCC.

It comes after Deputy Premier Jackie Trad referred herself to the Crime and Corruption Commission over her purchase of a property in Woolloongabba.

Mr Laurie said MPs were required to declare changes on the register of members' interests within 30 days, but he said they were human.

"My experience has certainly been that with no malfeasance intended, members often take longer than that to update their register," he said.

Estimates hearings continue, with Ms Trad and Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe due to be grilled later on Tuesday.