May 15, 2018
The State Government has allocated an extra $7.4 million funding to the Crime and Corruption Commission to target corruption in local councils.
Eight police investigators will be employed and a covert human intelligence unit established.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she wanted to see “an end to the cloud that hovers over local government”.
The CCC will receive an immediate injection of $1.8 million.
The Premier said over the past three years, the Commission’s investigation of public sector corruption had increased 57 per cent.
And there had been a 41 per cent rise in complaints about the local government sector during the past year.
She said he government would also provide $14.125 million in the 2018-19 Budget to establish a new statutory body, the Office of the Independent Assessor.
“This new statutory entity is one of a series of important Local Government reforms my government is pursuing to restore integrity, strengthen accountability and increase transparency in the sector,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“The Office of the Independent Assessor, when established, will deal with councillor conduct complaints, improved governance practices and enhanced delivery of more sustainable local government.”
The establishment of the new statutory office is part of local government legislation currently before State Parliament.
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Deb Frecklington
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said the Labor Government was singling out local councils in a “politically motivated” attack.
“While the LNP supports the CCC recommendations that stem from the Belcarra Report relating to local government corruption, the Palaszczuk Labor Government has gone well beyond the CCC’s recommendations for pure political gain,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Labor is using local government corruption to mount a politically motivated attack.
“Why should one section of our community be targeted by the Palaszczuk Government and yet the incredible influence unions have over the Labor Party be absolutely ignored by these proposed laws?
“It’s quite clear that trade union bosses own Annastacia Palaszczuk’s government lock, stock and barrel.
“This is evidenced by continuous government favours to the union movement and the back channel email correspondence between the ETU and Minister Mark Bailey.
“That is why the LNP will be moving amendments to extend the donation ban to trade union bosses.
“Our democracy should be a level playing field for all candidates and parties, free from vested interests.
“The largest and oldest vested interest is that between Labor and the trade union movement.
“The Queensland Government has very little influence or involvement over individual property developments, whereas they play a key role in many of the policy issues promoted by the unions.
“The unions get special treatment and unfettered access, even choosing which Labor Ministers will sit around the Cabinet table.
“They choose Labor party leaders and influence local pre-selections through factional deals.”
