Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has dismissed fresh calls from outgoing Integrity Commissioner Nikola Stepanov for a commission of inquiry into integrity matters in the state.Credit:Matt Dennien
The office of the Integrity Commissioner is responsible for providing advice to government officials and regulating the booming lobbying sector,whose interactions with government aBrisbane Times analysis showsjumped more than 250 per cent last year.
Integrity Commissioner Nikola Stepanov had previously supported a formal review of the actions of the Public Service Commission,which was alleged to have taken a laptop from her office and wiped the data.
Her new call on Monday for a powerful commission of inquiry — with the powers of a royal commission — follow a picture that has since emerged around thenarrow scope of a probe called by the government last week.
That high-level review,led by former Queensland University of Technology vice-chancellor Peter Coaldrake AO,was the second investigation or review launched in recent weeks amid allegations by several current and former statutory or independent officers.
Professor Coaldrake has since confirmed he would not have power to compel witnesses and has been unclear on the protections available for those who may come forward to speak about their experience with the state’s integrity systems.
In a statement,Dr Stepanov said she appreciated the “frank assessment of what the review can realistically achieve” given its narrow scope and terms of reference and now believed a commission of inquiry was the only path forward.