Annastacia Palaszczuk refuses to commit to corruption watchdog demands

Unless the government acts, findings from a corruption probe into former deputy premier Jackie Trad will remain secret.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, left, and former treasurer Jackie Trad. Picture: Glenn Hunt

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is refusing to commit to demands of the state’s corruption watchdog for immediate law changes to allow the release of an explosive report into her former deputy Jackie Trad.

Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission boss Bruce Barbour wrote to the government last month seeking urgent law changes to allow the publication of findings from its investigations.

It followed a bombshell High Court decision last month that muzzled the watchdog from publicly reporting on most of its investigations into ­politicians and public servants.

Unless the government acts, findings from a CCC investigation into allegations Ms Trad improperly interfered in the appointment of a top public servant will remain secret.

Ms Palaszczuk would not be drawn on the issue on Wednesday, except to say her Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath was considering legal advice.

The Trad report, finalised in early 2021, stemmed from an investigation into the 2019 appointment of her under treasurer, Frankie Carroll, but was widened into a probe of recruitment across the ­bureaucracy since Ms Palaszczuk came to power in 2015.

It is understood the report did not recommend any charges against Ms Trad, who has denied wrongdoing, but was scathing about the politicisation of senior ranks of the public service. Ms D’Ath said she had not made a ­decision on whether to change the laws and would not give a time­frame on when she would.

“If you did a comparison of every other jurisdiction, you’ll see that there is not one equivalent body in this country that has absolute discretion to report whatever they want, whenever they want,” she said. “We have to look at the powers, and the reporting powers … about what that might look like (so that it) doesn’t lead to further challenges in the court around those powers.”

Ms Trad launched taxpayer-funded legal ­action in the Supreme Court last year to stop the public release of the CCC report.

At a Supreme Court hearing on Tuesday, Justice Martin Burns dismissed Ms Trad’s application after all parties accepted current state law did not allow for the report’s release.

At a parliamentary hearing last month, CCC chair Bruce Barbour said the watchdog should be able to release findings even if corrupt conduct was not found.

“We believe such reports serve the public interest and promote public confidence in the integrity of the public sector,” he said.

Asked if she agreed with Mr Barbour, Ms Palaszczuk said: “Well I will let the attorney-general meet with the CCC.”

Legal bills for Ms Trad were covered by the state government under legal indemnity provisions for ministers. Ms Palaszczuk said costs would be publicly released once finalised.