The CCC on Friday announced an expansion of its probe into the influence of lobbyists on the state government,including an audit of contact records,after a recent surge in access to senior government decision-makers.
The corruption watchdog madea rare public statement to candidates ahead of the 2020 state election about the dangers of improper influence.
“Since that time,data from allegations made to the CCC,as well as its own investigations and intelligence,is clearly indicating that the corruption risks associated with influencing practices — the means by which people access elected officials and public sector decision-makers in order to effect or encourage a particular outcome — have intensified,” its discussion paper,released on Friday,noted.
“While in many circumstances access to government decision-makers is conducted legitimately and in accordance with existing regulations,corruption risks may still arise.”
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli,in Calliope for Saturday’s Callide byelection,described the CCC’s announcement as “one of the most extraordinary developments in the Queensland integrity crisis”.
“It shows a culture that is rotting through the state government,a culture where lobbyists have unfettered control,unfettered access and where it is all about the inner workings of the political process,not how we can serve Queenslanders,” he said.
“Make no mistake,these are damning,damning allegations and when you have a situation where a large percentage of public servants feel as though they are being intimidated,and that corruption is running rife,that shows you that there is something drastically wrong with the state government.”