Annastacia Palaszczuk under pressure over deputy Jackie Trad and chief of staff

Premier forced to defend her integrity amid a “crisis” engulfing both her deputy and chief of staff.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has come under pressure during Question Time over her deputy and chief of staff. Picture: Tara Croser

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been forced to defend her integrity amid a “crisis” that has engulfed both her deputy and chief of staff.

In question time this morning, Opposition leader Deb Frecklington asked whether the Premier would sack Deputy Premier Jackie Trad, who failed to declare an investment property in a key infrastructure zone, and chief of staff David Barbagallo, who has a stake in a cruise-tracking app that received public funds.

Ms Frecklington pointedly referred to comments Ms Palaszczuk made in 2017 — “I guard my integrity most dearly” — and questioned when she would act on the “integrity crisis” that had engulfed her Labor government.

But Ms Palaszczuk said the Crime and Corruption Commission was assessing complaints about Ms Trad, while an Ernst and Young audit into the Barbagallo case would be completed before the end of the month. The CCC will then assess that matter.

Qld Deputy Premier Jackie Trad. Picture: Annette Dew

Ms Palaszczuk said it was important due process be followed, and accused the LNP of being only too ready to sack people, having sacked 14,000 public services while in government.

“I do guard my integrity and the integrity of this government at the highest order and Queenslanders know that,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Asked whether Ms Trad had breached the ministerial code of conduct, which only the Premier could deal with, Ms Palaszczuk restated that if the CCC found reason to investigate the Deputy Premier would stand aside.

Premier Palaszczuk’s Chief of Staff David Barbagallo. Picture: AAP

Neither she nor Ms Trad would be drawn on questions about the code of conduct.

Ms Trad reiterated she would stand aside if the CCC commenced a formal investigation, and urged the CCC to stop using the issue as a “political football”.

“I will do what is right,” the Deputy Premier told parliament.

The Opposition also revealed an Ernst and Young partner had been on the expert panel that advised the government on the establishment of the Business Development Fund, which later gave money to Mr Barbagallo’s cruise-tracking app.

Ms Palaszczuk said her Director-General, Rachel Hunter, chose Ernst and Young for the audit, and accused the LNP of “attacking accounting forms in this state”.

She said Mr Barbagallo had “assured me he has done everything appropriately and always sought integrity advice”.