Annastacia Palaszczuk ‘shocked and surprised’ by parts of integrity report
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was “shocked and surprised” by parts of a damning report on her government.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was “shocked and surprised” by parts of a damning report into the widespread failures across the state government and public service.
The “Let the Sunshine In” report, led by Queensland University of Technology vice-chancellor Peter Coaldrake, was released on Wednesday and unveiled issues within the Labor government, including “disrespectful, belittling or bullying” behaviour from ministers, ministerial staff and senior officers.
When Ms Palaszczuk was grilled by the media on Thursday, she said she was “shocked and surprised” by some of the review’s findings.
When asked to clarify what she was most shocked by, she said it was concerns with complaint processes and culture issues within the government.
“I think there are concerns about how people can make complaints,” she said.
“I think people need to be able to be sure how they can do complaints through the processes, and of course we need to improve the culture with the public service and ministerial offices.”
Professor Coaldrake said in the report an “identifiable loss of capacity” in the public service, accelerated by “an over-reliance” on external contractors and consultants, had led to a culture of bullying within the government.
“All of these matters are compounded by a culture too tolerant of bullying, unwilling to give life to unfashionable points of view and dominated by the occupational hazard of all governments’ short-term political thinking,” the report said.
“Public service officials can feel pressured, sometimes by ministerial staff, sometimes by more senior officers, to moderate advice developed with a ‘public interest’ goal in mind, to fit with a perceived ministerial preference – which may or may not be real – or to avoid giving advice on difficult issues in writing.”
“Personal interactions with some ministers and ministerial staff, and indeed some senior officers, can be disrespectful, belittling or bullying and long-term detriment to careers real or apprehended.”
While Ms Palaszczuk ruled out sacking the people behind the reported bullying behaviour, she said they were “absolutely” on notice.
“I treat people with respect and I expect everybody else to follow my lead,” she said.
Professor Coaldrake also noted the rise of lobbyists within Queensland and the strong influence they had on politicians.
“In recent times, Queensland has seen the rise of lobbyists unquestionably attached politically to the governing side of politics with understanding of the system,” the report said.
“That has helped secure outcomes that might not otherwise have been possible.
“The growth of lobbying activity reveals what this Review believes is a market failure: the failure of government itself to be able to deal with business and community interests without the involvement of a paid intermediary.”
Just a day before the final report was released, Ms Palaszczuk announced strengthened lobbyist rules, a move the review welcomed.
She repeatedly asserted this stronger stance on Thursday after she said several times that businesses did not need a lobbyist to meet with her government.
“Let me say it very clearly to every member of the business community, you don’t need to employ a lobbyist to have a meeting with my government,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
The 101-page report made 14 recommendations in total, including strengthening lobby regulations, rejuvenating the “capability” and “capacity” of the public sector, protecting whistleblowers, and developing and reinforcing “appropriate” relationships within the government.
Ms Palaszczuk reaffirmed on Thursday that the government would accept all of the recommendations.
She said the report did not “trouble” her and called it a “health check”.
We will accept all of his recommendations.
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) June 28, 2022
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They are bold, they are comprehensive and they are visionary and they are exactly what I want.
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Once implemented Queensland will have the most transparent and accountable government in Australia.
Ms Palaszczuk was criticised for not speaking when the report was released on Wednesday due to dental surgery that she underwent.
“This morning I underwent two-hour dental surgery. It could not be delayed,” she said in a statement released on Wednesday afternoon,” she said in a statement on Wednesday.
“I am in the office working but unfortunately it means I am unable to conduct a media conference this afternoon.”
Ms Palaszczuk stressed on Thursday that it could not have been rescheduled.
“It was an emergency … look, I just had to get it done, I’m sorry,” she told the media.
“Unfortunately, I couldn’t speak.”
But while Ms Palaszczuk did not speak on Wednesday, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli slammed the Premier and said she had overseen a “rotten culture”.
“A premier who has overseen a rotten culture that’s delivered rotten services to Queenslanders,” he said.
“When a culture rots through a government, it is no longer about serving the people, it’s about serving their mates. That’s when the services Queenslanders rely on – hospitals, putting a roof over their head, and law and order – descend into chaos.
“A royal commission must be held to end the integrity inferno burning through this state government.”
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