Premier welcomes second Fitzgerald Report

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has thanked Tony Fitzgerald and retired judge Alan Wilson on conclusion of their inquiry into aspects of Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission.

The Inquiry was the recommendation of the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee following an investigation into complaints surrounding the dismissal of councillors from the Logan City Council.

The Premier said Queensland was fortunate that the man who had done so much to rid the state of corruption in the past has, with Justice Wilson, designed a blueprint to guide us into the future.

“It is vital that the democratic institutions of our State are respected and protected and wherever possible improved,’” the Premier said.

“It’s thanks to the Fitzgerald Inquiry that Queensland has a permanent anti-corruption watchdog that has served us for the past 30 years.

“It’s thanks to this Commission of Inquiry that we will have an even better anti-corruption body to serve us into the future.”

The report makes 32 recommendations including:

• Introducing checks and balances in charging practices including requiring the CCC to seek advice from the DPP before corruption charges are laid;
• Adopting a more holistic approach to address corruption;
• Clarifying police secondment arrangements; and 
• Better training

The government will consider the recommendations and respond at the appropriate time.

The report and corresponding public submissions can be found at cccinquiry.qld.gov.au