Corruption watchdog boss vows public will learn truth of failed health chief appointment

Queenslanders will learn details about the botched appointment of Krispin Hajkowicz as CHO, the corruption watchdog boss has revealed.

CCC chair Bruce Barbour

Queenslanders will be told about the circumstances surrounding the failed appointment of Krispin Hajkowicz as chief health officer, Crime and Corruption Commission boss Bruce Barbour says.

Mr Barbour, appearing before a Queensland Parliament committee on Tuesday, said his corruption-busting organisation leaned towards making public the details of its investigations.

He was asked whether the CCC would issue a public report about the CCC’s investigation into ministerial intervention in the failed appointment of Dr Hajkowicz.

“Our default position is that any matter that goes to corruption investigations now will be considered for the preparation of a report,” he said.

However, Mr Barbour said it was premature to say one way or another if a report would be made public.

“We are currently investigating that matter, it’s at feasibility stage,” he said.

Mr Barbour said the probe was in the preliminary stages to determine whether a full investigation was warranted.

The CCC’s investigation was sparked by exclusive reporting by The Courier-Mail, which revealed Dr Hajkowicz had been offered the chief health officer job before it was withdrawn following the intervention of government ministers.

Would-be chief health officer Dr Krispin Hajkowicz

The CCC is also days away from revealing details about its lengthy investigation into former Townsville mayor Troy Thompson.

Mr Barbour said a draft public report has been written and the procedural fairness process, which allowed Mr Thompson a chance to respond to its findings, has finished.

“We are finalising a public report for tabling, which I hope will be in a matter of days,” he said.

The CCC finalised its investigation into Mr Thompson on October 15 but was unable to make it public before the November 15 mayoral election.

The saga surrounding Mr Thompson – including the risk he could have been re-elected after resigning as mayor as a result of the CCC investigation – prompted a question to Mr Barbour about whether changes needed to be made to ensure voters had all information about political candidates.

Mr Barbour said it would be a matter for the state government to consider.

“Obligations on people who are running for election need to ultimately be determined by government through legislation,” he said.

“For there to be systems in place which ensure that information being provided is accurate and correct there would need to be some sort of legislative system that requires that to happen.”

Originally published as Corruption watchdog boss vows public will learn truth of failed health chief appointment