John Sosso appointed to Queensland Redistribution Commission

Despite criticism from corruption fighters and opposition leaders, Queensland’s deputy premier’s right-hand-man has been appointed to the Queensland Redistribution Commission.

John Sosso, right-hand many of Queensland’s Deputy Premier, has been appointed to the Queensland Redistribution Commission, despite criticism from opposition and corruption fighters.

The Queensland government has ignored criticism and appointed John Sosso, right hand-man of the state’s Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, as one of the commissioners redrawing the state electoral boundaries.

In a statement released on Thursday before the Easter long weekend, attorney-general Deb Frecklington announced that she had appointed Mr Sosso, State Development, Infrastructure and Planning director-general, to the three-member Queensland Redistribution Commission.

He joins judicial chairperson Gregory Koppenol and electoral commissioner Pat Vidgen, to oversee the redistribution, the first in more than seven years.

Mr Sosso’s expected appointment has drawn criticism from corruption fighter and former federal court judge Tony Fitzgerald AC KC.

Last week, Mr Fitzgerald released a rare public statement in response to Mr Sosso’s looming appointment, warning that Queensland could be falling back into old dark times.

“Queensland might be reverting to the bad old days of biased electoral boundaries – the notorious Queensland gerrymander,” he stated.

“I sincerely hope that isn’t so. Biased electoral boundaries fundamentally conflict with democracy.”

Justice Tony Fitzgerald has released a rare public statement warning Queensland about Mr Sosso’s appointment.

Mr Fitzgerald was chair of The Fitzgerald Inquiry, a two-year investigation from 1987 to 1989 that uncovered long-term political corruption, leading to four ministers being jailed, and multiple police being convicted.

The state opposition has accused Mr Sosso of being closely linked to the Liberal National Party, which won government in October last year.

Mr Sosso has been a senior public servant in governments led by both major parties.

Queensland Leader of the Opposition Steven Miles expressed serious concerns regarding Mr Sosso’s appointment.

Queensland’s opposition leader Steven Miles highlighted how the timing of the announcement occurred the same time that newspapers paused for Good Friday.

“The timing of this announcement signals that we are already on our way back to those horrible days,” Mr Miles said.

“Just hours before the Easter Long Weekend, when they know there are no newspapers anywhere in the state tomorrow, Deb Frecklington appoints John Sosso on the Queensland Redistribution Commission.

“The LNP has ignored serious concerns raised by us and corruption buster Tony Fitzgerald, concerns that Mr Sosso could throw this state back to the dark days of the notorious Queensland gerrymander.”

The Commissioner appointments last for a term of two years from Thursday.