Palaszczuk Government boosts support for corruption watchdog

Published Thursday, 01 November, 2018 at 07:07 PM

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
The Honourable Yvette D'Ath

The Palaszczuk Government has underscored its commitment to transparency and proactively addressing corruption with the passing of the Crime and Corruption and Other Legislation Amendment Bill today.

Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said today marked another step forward in the fight against corruption, with laws ensuring that the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) would be appropriately equipped to continue to improve the integrity of and reduce the incidence of corruption in the public sector.

“I am pleased the Palaszczuk Government has delivered on another important election commitment for Queenslanders,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“The bill widens the definition of corrupt conduct and provides the CCC with broader investigative powers to look into conduct liable to allow, encourage or cause corrupt conduct.

“It means the Commission can investigate conduct, such as collusive tendering and fraud in applications for licences or permits issued by government.

“This bill is the product of an extensive period of public consultation with stakeholders, including the CCC, legal and academic organisations and relevant unions.”

The bill includes a number of amendments which will improve the operations of the CCC, including:

  • lengthening the timeframe for the Commission or a prescribed person to seek a QCAT review of a reviewable decision from 14 to 28 days;
  • streamlining the process that the Commission must follow to commence disciplinary proceedings against current and former public sector employees, in both its original or review jurisdiction;
  • addressing anomalies in relation to post-separation disciplinary proceedings so that the Commission and other public sector entities may transfer a disciplinary finding or delegate the authority to make a disciplinary finding to one another when an officer changes employment;
  • allowing the Commission and public sector entities to share information relating to the disciplinary history of current and former Commission officers in prescribed circumstances; and
  • improving civil liability protections for the Commission, its officers and police service review commissioners.

Mrs D’Ath said the Palaszczuk Government had shown a commitment to the independence and integrity of the CCC and to ensuring that the government lived up to the highest standards of integrity.

“The Palaszczuk Government does not take for granted the important role of the CCC and public sector bodies in the fight against corruption in Queensland,” she said.

“The Palaszczuk Government continues to back up its strong commitment to government integrity, transparency and accountability with both legislative reform and funding.

“Under our Government, Queensland now has the most transparent political donation system in the country and our commitment to a more independent CCC is underscored by a further $7.4 million funding announced by the Premier this year.”

ENDS

 

Media contact:

Emma McBryde 0447 155 332