Fitzgerald to head inquiry into Queensland corruption watchdog’s structure

The former judge who oversaw Queensland’s landmark Fitzgerald inquiry will head a fresh probe into the structure of the state’s under-pressure corruption watchdog, as the government battles growing integrity questions.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the sixth-month commission of inquiry, to be chaired by Tony Fitzgerald QC, on Monday as part of her government’s response to a damning report into the Crime and Corruption Commission’s handling of the Logan council case.

Tony Fitzgerald (right) handing his report to then-Queensland premier Mike Ahern in 1989.Credit: James McEwan

Ms Palaszczuk said that parliamentary committee report, handed down in December, had also found “systemic cultural issues” which would now be investigated by the new inquiry — to also feature retired Supreme Court judge Alan Wilson, QC, as a commissioner.

The announcement comes after a long-awaited cabinet meeting to discuss the parliamentary crime and corruption committee’s six recommendations, including the probe into the watchdog’s ability to both investigate and lay charges, along with the role of seconded police officers.

But with wide questions swirling in the past weeks about interference in the work of two of the state’s other key oversight agencies — the Integrity Commissioner and State Archivist — the inquiry has failed to appease the LNP Opposition’s calls for a broader probe into integrity in the state.

The parliamentary committee’s report stemmed from its own inquiry into the Logan matter, which led to the sacking of the entire council after a complaint raised by its then-chief executive and found the watchdog interfered in a related industrial relations case.

It also found then watchdog chair Allan MacSporran had not ensured the agency “acted independently and impartially”.

The LNP-chaired but Labor government-weighted committee departed from one key finding left open to it by, that his appointment could be terminated.

All but one of the eventual recommendations, for a cultural reform of the CCC, have now been supported by the government in its response released on Monday.

“Who better to oversee an inquiry into aspects of the CCC than the man who created it,” Ms Palaszczuk told reporters at the afternoon press conference. “This is something that we have given careful consideration to.”

“I firmly believe that the people of this state can have absolute confidence that Tony Fitzgerald and Alan Wilson will carry out the responsibilities and duties as outlined in the terms of reference that they have been involved [in] and consulted on.

“Cabinet has had a lengthy discussion today, and now we need the next chapter to be written to ensure that the public and the people of this state have absolute confidence in the CCC.”

Questioned about the calls for a broader inquiry into integrity matters, Ms Palaszczuk said her government respected its “robust” agencies, while seeking to push focus onto the federal government’s lack of “checks and balances” and the record of the Newman government — which lost power after a single term in office seven years ago on Monday.

Mr Fitzgerald said he “was asked to do it [the inquiry] and couldn’t see any good reason to refuse”, but declined to comment further.

LNP leader David Crisafulli, speaking after the Premier’s afternoon press conference, said she had “tried to release the pressure valve” on integrity questions plaguing the government.

“Queenslanders are smarter than this and won’t have the wool pulled over their eyes,” he said. “The state government’s integrity crisis is so much bigger than the announcement we have seen today.”

Work to set up the inquiry is expected to start on Monday, with $5 million allocated by the government and an expectation it will implement any recommendations put forward.

Bruce Barbour has been appointed as acting chair of the watchdog, created after the 1989 inquiry into systemic corruption led by Mr Fitzgerald, after Mr MacSporran stood down last week citing an irreparable relationship with the parliamentary committee.

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