Interference allegations referred to CCC in integrity complaint

A complaint has been made to the state’s corruption watchdog alleging interference by the Public Service Commission in the Office of the Integrity Commissioner, including claims laptops and mobile phones were seized from the independent office.

A complaint has been made to the state’s corruption watchdog alleging interference by the Public Service Commission in the Office of the Integrity Commissioner, including claims laptops and mobile phones were seized from the independent office.

Shocking allegations made by Nikola Stepanov that her important roles as ethical advisor to politicians and manager of the state’s lobbyist register had been compromised, dominated Question Time as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed “matters” had been referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission.

The Premier did not refute that the PSC had confiscated mobile phones and laptops or compromised or deleted public records from those devices in a series of seven questions to her in parliament.

“In relation to those matters, they are a matter for the Public Service Commission,” she said.

“ … I understand from my department that certain matters have been referred to the CCC and it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further on those matters.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

A statement from the CCC confirmed it had received “complaints containing allegations of corrupt conduct relating to the office of the Queensland Integrity Commissioner”.

“It is important to note all allegations should be treated as unsubstantiated until a final outcome is reached,” it said.

“As the matters are not finalised, it is not appropriate for the CCC to comment further.”

In a separate statement, Ms Stepanov confirmed she was not the subject of any complaint.

“I note the Premier’s statement in Parliament today that ‘certain matters have been referred to the CCC’, and I confirm that I am unable to comment on those matters,” she said.

“I also confirm that I have no knowledge of being the subject of any complaint, assessment, or investigation by the CCC.”

Opposition integrity spokeswoman Fiona Simpson claimed the PSC were acting as the government’s “goon squad” to shut down Ms Stepanov.

Queensland Integrity Commissioner Nikola Stepanov. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jono Searle

Opposition justice spokesman Jarrod Bleijie said the revelations were “dangerous and scary” as he suggested Ms Stepanov had “a target on her back because she has been talking about Labor lobbyists”.

“When a government attacks the very body, the very person who protects the integrity and accountability of government in this state, then the system will fall,” he said.

He said the order to the PSC must have come from somewhere, that Ms Palaszcuzk had the power to make such an order, and that all involved should “come clean” on what has happened.

Separately, Ms Palaszczuk confirmed a five-yearly strategy review into the Integrity Commissioner’s Office by Kevin Yearbury would be completed by the end of the month and would be released publicly.

However, that review relates to the functions and set up of her office, rather than any allegations raised in recent months.

Originally published as Interference allegations referred to CCC in integrity complaint