New Queensland Integrity Commissioner appointed

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has today announced the appointment of Dr Nikola Stepanov as the Queensland Integrity Commissioner, following a national search and merit-based recruitment process.

“The Integrity Commissioner is an officer of the Queensland Parliament, with responsibility for providing advice on integrity and ethics issues to members of the Legislative Assembly, statutory office holders and senior public servants”, the Premier said.

“This independent role also oversees the maintenance of the Register of Queensland Lobbyists.

“Dr Stepanov is currently the Director of the Centre for Health Ethics, Law and Education in the Tropics, Chair of the Townsville Hospital and Health Service Human Research Ethics Committee and Associate Professor with Tropical Health and Medicine at James Cook University.

“She has a background in resolving complex and contentious ethics conflicts.

“Dr Stepanov has also been an Academic in Medical Ethics, Law and Professional Practice and the Coordinator of the Health Ethics and Law program for the School of Medicine, University of Queensland.

Dr Stepanov’s professional qualifications include a Doctor of Philosophy, a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Nursing.

The Premier said the Finance and Administration Committee of the Queensland Parliament was consulted on the proposed appointment as required by the Integrity Act 2009.

The Premier thanked the out-going Integrity Commissioner, Richard Bingham, whose term of appointment will end on 30 June 2017.

“Mr Bingham has served as the Integrity Commissioner for three years in the highest regard, and discharged his functions in a considered and impartial manner,” she said.

Dr Stepanov’s term of appointment will commence on 1 July 2017.

Media contact: Geoff Breusch 0417 272 875