The Integrity Commissioner is responsible for maintaining the state’s Lobbyist Register and is tasked with advising MPs,ministers and senior officials about potential conflicts of interest.Credit:Felicity Caldwell
Both agencies are located on the same floor of a Brisbane CBD building and are at the centre of one of themajor questions surrounding the state’s integrity regime,with complaints relating to the alleged interference now also before the Crime and Corruption Commission.
TheQIC Risk Treatment Plan 2020-21,provided toBrisbane Times,offers a rare insight into activity within the Public Service Commission,which also holds budgetary and resource authority over Dr Stepanov’s office.
Within it,nine potential threats and impacts identified by the agency were sent to Dr Stepanov in the unfinished document on June 23 last year.
She was to finalise further columns by rating the risk level,outlining the existing controls or proposed mitigation efforts,and highlighting any communication needed with stakeholders.
The Queensland Integrity Commission Risk Register 2020-21,also referred to as the QIC Risk Treatment Plan 2020-21.
One potential risk was referred to by the PSC as a “failure to ensure legal and statutory obligations” were met relating to “secure access to offices and security of public records,including confidential records”.
An outcome of this was identified by the agency as a “breach of public trust” – and the trust of the MPs and public servants she also advises on potential conflicts of interest – around her ability to keep confidential records safe.