Watchdog warns corruption risks could fester if Steven Miles fails to act on law changes

A High Court decision muzzled the CCC from publicly reporting on its probes into politicians, suppressing an explosive report into Jackie Trad.

Steven Miles replaced Jackie Trad as Queensland’s deputy premier and Left faction leader. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

Queensland’s corruption watchdog has warned the state Labor government that systemic corruption risks could fester if it is not urgently handed back powers to publicly report on its investigations.

A High Court decision last year muzzled the Crime and Corruption Commission from publicly reporting on its probes into ­politicians and public servants and suppressed a report into former deputy premier Jackie Trad and the alleged politicisation of the state’s public service.

The state government has for six months stalled on making urgent law changes, sought by CCC chair Bruce Barbour, to allow publication of findings from its investigations.

Premier Steven Miles has committed to changing laws to expand the CCC’s reporting powers, but cast doubt on whether legislation would be retrospective.

In February he appointed former chief justice Catherine Holmes to lead an independent review into the CCC’s reporting powers, which will make recommendations by May 20.

Ramping up pressure on the government to act, the state opposition last year introduced a private member’s bill to give the CCC powers it had asked for.

In a recent public submission on the Liberal National Party’s bill, Mr Barbour said government had “an imperative” to restore the watchdog’s reporting powers and allow release of reports that were suppressed by the High Court’s ruling.

“There is a need for urgent legislative amendment to address this to avoid the corruption risks which may follow,” he wrote.

“The CCC and its predecessor agencies have historically reported on significant matters relating to corruption investigations on the understanding it had the power to do so pursuant to the act.

“Those reports highlight corruption risks, demonstrate important integrity lessons and in many cases were the impetus for improved processes and procedures in public agencies.”

Mr Barbour said parliament had previously passed retrospective law changes and they “should not be controversial”.

“At present, the CCC has no statutory power to report publicly on its corruption investigations,” he wrote. “This sets Queensland apart from its federal and interstate counterpart agencies, which have a statutory power to publicly report.”

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 Labor came to power under Annastacia Palaszczuk in 2015.

It is understood the report did not recommend charges against Ms Trad, who has denied wrongdoing, but was scathing about the politicisation of senior ranks of the public service.

In a separate submission to the inquiry examining the LNP’s bill, Glen Milliner – who was Wayne Goss’s justice minister from 1989 to 1992 – warned against law changes that would enable the publication of CCC reports on ­individuals who were not charged with a crime.

“I urge the committee to reject those sections of the bill that would overturn such an important protection to Queenslanders found innocent of any act of corruption,” he wrote.