QLD Govt: Review into Culture and Accountability Public Sector

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/94500

Review into Culture and Accountability
18th February 2022

Premier and Minister for the Olympics
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Professor Peter Coaldrake AO has been appointed to conduct a wide-ranging review into culture and accountability in the state's public sector.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the review would have the power to make system-wide changes examining six key areas:

The culture of the public service in ensuring ethical decision making and impartial advice to the Executive
The nature of interactions and interdependencies between integrity bodies, the public service and the Executive
Legislation underpinning the existing ethics and integrity framework
Adequacy of systems to prevent ethical, accountability and integrity issues arising
Adequacy of ethics training and communication and relevant policies
Timeliness of processes to resolve ethical and integrity complaints
The Premier said periodic reviews are good for governments.

"It is always good to look at things with fresh eyes," the Premier said.

"The 21st Century has brought rapid changes, not least in terms of technology. We need to address that

"People deserve a government that is fit for purpose, geared to their needs and focused on them.

"I welcome this independent review and look forward to Professor Coaldrake's findings."

The review builds on the 2019 Bridgeman Review.

Stage One of that review concentrated on the importance of employment security.

The next phase of the Government's response to the Bridgeman Review is focused on the modernisation of the Public Service Act 2008.

It includes a focus on recommendations that relate to public sector ethics.

For the purposes of this review the Queensland Public Sector encompasses public service agencies and public service entities as defined in the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994.

Professor Coaldrake is a former Vice-Chancellor of the Queensland University of Technology and is currently Chief Commissioner of the federal government appointed Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency.

An interim report will be provided within two months.

A final report will be provided within four months. Both will be made public.

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/95008

Statement from Acting Premier Steven Miles
21st April 2022

Acting Premier and Minister for the Olympics
The Honourable Dr Steven Miles

Professor Peter Coaldrake has this afternoon provided his interim report on the review of culture and accountability in the Queensland public sector.

In line with the terms of reference, the report was published immediately upon receipt.

As Professor Coaldrake notes in his report, when the Premier established the review, she stated:

It is always good to look at things with fresh eyes. The 21st century has brought rapid changes, not least in terms of technology. We need to address that. People deserve a government that is fit for purpose, geared to their needs and focused on them.

The Interim Report published today by Professor Coaldrake is an important step forward in achieving this.

Professor Coaldrake makes a number of preliminary observations which he will further address in the final report with recommendations which is due in June.

As the Premier has made clear on several occasions, she expects a public service that provides frank and fearless advice.

And she expects Ministers and staff to abide by their respective Codes of Conduct.

The Premier has also been clear that in-house lobbying is something that requires close scrutiny and matters around lobbying are also being considered by a bi-partisan parliamentary committee.

In releasing the interim report, Professor Coaldrake has encouraged further comment and submissions, which are able to be made via www.coaldrakereview.qld.gov.au until 16 May 2022.

The interim report is also available at www.coaldrakereview.qld.gov.au.

The Palaszczuk Government encourages people to engage in the review process in a frank and fearless manner.

[ozbob]

Review of culture and accountability in the Queensland public sector (Coaldrake Review)

> https://www.coaldrakereview.qld.gov.au

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Queensland integrity review by Peter Coaldrake raises concerns about sanitised advice, staff overreach and lobbyist influence

Key points:

Professor Coaldrake says concerns of ministerial staff overreach were raised frequently

He says the lobbyist register is not doing the job that was intended

He cited concerns that senior public servants are being told to sanitise information for ministers

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk appointed Professor Peter Coaldrake in February to conduct the review.

The move came after a number of issues were raised about the Queensland government involving the Integrity Commissioner, a former state archivist and the Public Service Commissioner.

Professor Coaldrake's interim report makes a series of preliminary observations and highlights themes from public submissions and interviews conducted in the past two months.

In the report, he noted that the overreach of ministerial staff was a frequent concern raised during consultations.

"In its consultations, the review was told on a number of occasions that one frequent overreach is when ministerial officers appropriate the authority of their Ministers in directing public servants to undertake certain tasks," he said. ...

[SurfRail]

Not surprising.

However, the Moonlight State this is not.  It's happening in every state and territory, and federally. 

We at least seem to be acknowledging that and looking at doing something about it.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/FionaSimpsonMP/status/1517316397961183232

[verbatim9]

While public servants usually need to keep neutrality, they should be able to express good ideas that lead to better outcomes for Queensland.

Public transport
Retail hours
Daylight Saving
Youth crime and other law matters


These are all major topics that have become politicised.

[ozbob]

InQld --> What you don't know can't hurt you: How bureaucrat 'protected' Qld minister

... Professor Peter Coaldrake released an interim report on his review into state government accountability and workplace culture late on Thursday afternoon.

Serious concerns have been raised about senior public servants, ministerial staff and lobbyists.

Public servants have told the review they have been told by seniors how to "channel" information to ministers.

"Instances of senior public servants directing employees to sanitise advice and alter recommendations to align with what was presumed to be the minister's position," he wrote. ...

[ozbob]

Over the years I can recall a number of instances where it was confirmed to my satisfaction that correspondence written for a Minister had not reached them.  Staffers were filtering, which really is a recipe for failure of course.

[Fares_Fair]

This could also be why the Premier is so out of touch with what is going on within her govt.
Her 'protection' would be paramount.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1519328062621777920

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/95503

New rules for lobbyists
27th June 2022

Premier and Minister for the Olympics
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced new rules for lobbyists in Queensland.

The Premier said the rules helped strengthen what are already some of the strongest laws in Australia.

"We do not just accept these changes," the Premier said.

"We embrace them.

"Our aim is to always do better and these changes ensure even greater openness and transparency."

The changes include:

Anyone working for a lobbying firm will need to be registered as a lobbyist.

It covers lobbyists, consultants, advisers, strategic communications and marketing advisers but excludes administrative staff
Lobbyists are only to make contact through the Chief of Staff of an office.

All meetings will have to be requested in writing

The Chief of Staff can delegate to a senior adviser at their discretion

The Integrity Commissioner maintains the public register of lobbyists.

Departments will continue to maintain a Register of Lobbyist contacts. This will also include the subject matter of meetings.

Ministerial diaries will continue to maintain a record of meetings and will also include the subject matter of the meeting.

The Premier said the changes are in line with recommendations of the Kevin Yearbury Review.

These recommendations also apply to the Leader of the Opposition.

"I have said for some time that the rules surrounding lobbyists needed to change and they have," the Premier said.

"We already have some of the strongest transparency laws including the publishing of ministerial diaries.

"This is something that does not exist with the Federal Government.

"These improvements promote greater transparency."

The Premier said the changes will be implemented regardless of and in addition to any recommendations of the Coaldrake review, due before the end of the month.

ENDS

[ozbob]

https://www.coaldrakereview.qld.gov.au

Review of culture and accountability in the Queensland public sector (Coaldrake Review)

The Final Report into the culture and accountability in the Queensland public sector was provided to the Premier and Minister for the Olympics on 28 June 2022.

https://www.coaldrakereview.qld.gov.au/assets/custom/docs/coaldrake-review-final-report-28-june-2022.pdf

Summary Recommendations

1. The independence of the position of the Auditor-General be strengthened, extending its scope and
according it status as an Officer of the Parliament.

2. Cabinet submissions (and their attachments), agendas, and decisions papers be proactively released and
published online within 30 business days of such decisions.

3. Lobbying regulation be strengthened through a requirement to register all professionals offering paid
lobbying services for third parties, more transparent description of meeting purposes, extension of
ministerial diaries to include staff meetings with lobbyists and explicit prohibition of lobbyists "dual hatting" as political campaigners.

4. Development and continual reinforcement of a common framework to determine appropriate relationships
among ministers, their staff and senior public service officers. The tone set at the top is essential.

5. The rejuvenation of the capability and capacity of the Queensland public sector be a major and concerted
focus. This should emphasise a culture of performance and integrity. The Public Service Commission
must accept its key role.

6. Establishment of a single clearing house for complaints, with capacity for the complainants and agencies
to track progress and outcomes. Technology enablement and proper training of staff will be critical.

7. The Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) to avail itself of the opportunity provided by the clearing
house and the other cultural changes prompted by this Review to redouble its attention on serious
corruption and major crime.

8. Those complaints against senior public sector employees which the CCC devolves must include ongoing
oversight by the Public Service Commission and an independent Director-General.

9. Departments more robustly account for the benefits derived from engaging consultants and contractors,
with regular monitoring by the Auditor-General.

10. Citizens' privacy rights be protected by implementation of mandatory reporting of data breaches.

11. Whistleblowers be protected by the Government immediately activating its promised review of Public
Interest Disclosure legislation.

12. Integrity bodies' independence be enhanced by involvement of parliamentary committees in setting their
budgets and contributing to key appointments.

13. The Ombudsman be provided with the authority to investigate complaints against private organisations
carrying out functions on behalf of the government.

14. Stability of government and performance of public service be strengthened by appointment of agency
CEOs (including Directors-General) on fixed term, five year contracts, unaligned to the electoral cycle.

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Peter Coaldrake's review into accountability of Queensland government released, Premier accepts all 14 recommendations

Key points:

Matters raised in review "paint the picture of an integrity system under stress", report says

Premier says the report will go to cabinet on Monday to begin work on implementing recommendations

Report says the key to lasting positive change in government is culture "shaped by leaders at all levels"

...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1541853818186498057

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1541702121300832256

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Qldaah/status/1542335116327809025

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk takes steps to release cabinet documents after just 30 days following Coaldrake's report

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the government is taking steps to release cabinet papers after 30 days instead of 30 years as she tries to downplay integrity concerns in the wake of the Coaldrake report into accountability in the public sector. ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1542375097129762817

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1542520449325989888

[ozbob]

ABC News

The Queensland Government has been put on notice that its integrity system is in urgent need of an overhaul. An independent review found evidence of public sector bullying, problematic lobbying, and excessive secrecy. The review called on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to introduce cultural change - starting at the very top, as Peter McCutcheon reports.

[ozbob]

InQueensland --> Even with the best of intentions, there's no easy way to untangle what goes on behind closed doors

Regulating lobbyists is shaping as the hardest thing for the Palaszczuk Government and Dennis Atkins sees the latest attempt as again falling short. ...

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/95617

Taskforce to implement Coaldrake recommendations
4th July 2022

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for the Olympics
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics Infrastructure
The Honourable Dr Steven Miles

A Taskforce within the Department of Premier and Cabinet will be set up immediately to implement the recommendations of the Coaldrake review into the Queensland public sector.

Professor Peter Coaldrake's wide ranging report which includes 14 key recommendations was considered and endorsed by Cabinet today.

The Premier said the Taskforce, overseen by David Mackie, Director-General of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, will commence work immediately.

"The reforms will set a benchmark for the rest of Australia to follow," the Premier said.

"These reforms will make Queensland the most transparent government in the country.

"Some reforms will be implemented immediately others which require legislative change and stakeholder consultation will take a bit more time.

"That includes the biggest transformational change; releasing Cabinet documents after 30 days, down from the current 30 years.

"David Mackie and the Cabinet Secretary will plan to travel to New Zealand in the next few weeks to look at the model they have already implemented and how that is working."

Cabinet also agreed that the three lobbyists who worked on Labor's State Election campaign in substantive roles would be unable to lobby the government for the remainder of this term.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said this puts an end to a very long-standing practice on both sides of politics to have lobbyists also work as political consultants during campaigns.

"We now call on the LNP to advise us of which lobbyists worked on their last campaign so that we can ban them from engaging with our government and also call on the LNP to stop allowing those political consultants to lobby them as the potential alternative government," he said.

The Taskforce will report back to Cabinet in September with its first legislative reform package for introduction to parliament.

ENDS

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1613902447998816257

[ozbob]

🎥𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓:  𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘇𝗰𝘇𝘂𝗸 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁'𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝙆𝙚𝙮 𝘾𝙤𝙖𝙡𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙮𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚...

Posted by Fiona Simpson MP on Thursday, 12 January 2023

====

 
Hear! Hear!   

[ozbob]

Strategic review of the Office of the Information Commissioner, 2022

Media Statement

1st February 2023

The Final Report on the Independent Strategic Review of the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC),How to let more sunshine in, was tabled in Parliament on 31 January 2023 by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence.

Information Commissioner Rachael Rangihaeata welcomes the report, its findings and recommendations.
The Review Report made positive findings about OIC's efficiency and effectiveness across our functions, within a constrained and changing operating environment, including legislative framework, technology, unreasonable conduct and resources. 

The Independent Reviewer, Mr Dominic McGann, commenced this review in July 2022 immediately following Professor Coaldrake'sFinal Report of the review of culture and accountability in the Queensland public sector , titledLet the Sunshine in . The Report draws important connections between the Coaldrake Report findings and our role and the objectives of the legislation more broadly.

In terms of OIC's strategic review, it concerns itself with the broad (notably, whether in the performance of its overall functions, the OIC contributes to ensuring openness and accountability within the Queensland Government) and the particular (notably, whether in the performance of its day to day operations, the OIC is discharging them economically, effectively and efficiently).

This strategic report concludes that more sunlight will be let in by:

In terms of the broad:

(a) continuing attention to the legislative framework taken as a whole even if from time to time more focused amendments to it are progressed;

(b) ongoing leadership across all levels of the Queensland Government to ensure that a culture of openness and accountability prevails; and

(c) adequate resourcing of Queensland government agencies to ensure that a culture of openness is actually delivered on a day to day basis, year in and year out.

In terms of the particular, the OIC:

(a) to continue to exhibit a high degree of professionalism in the performance of its functions;

(b) within the limits of its legislative remit, to continue to form an element of the leadership which ensures a culture of openness; and

(c) to be resourced to a measure that ensures that it is able to continue to exhibit its existing high degree of professionalism in the performance of its functions.

The primary issue in this review relates to making government more accountable and transparent and to that end it identified the need for additional resources to be provided to ensure that the OIC can continue to deliver the high degree of professional work in the performance of its functions and so that the Queensland government agencies properly perform their responsibilities to transparencyunder the RTI Act and IP Act. Critically, however, each of the RTI Act and the IP Act is currently under active review and it is more a question of the extent of change as opposed to whether change will occur.

Accordingly, if the Queensland community is to be able to fully exercise the rights related to access to information and information privacy, it will be essential that the OIC and Queensland government agencies receive additional and adequate resources to enable each to properly perform those increased functions under the RTI Act and IP Act.

In terms of the timing of the receipt of additional and adequate resources, delay remains the deadliest form of denial.

Ms Rangihaeata said her office would examine the report in depth and work with stakeholders and the Government to progress the report's recommendations.

Read the Review Report here > https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tp/2023/5723T23-F601.PDF

<ends>

[ozbob]

INQLD --> Let's not go overboard: Is the sound of a Minister trying to walk back integrity promise?

The Queensland Government will be "mindful of not going overboard" when considering which attempts to influence are captured by its lobbying laws, the transport minister says ...

The Queensland Government will be "mindful of not going overboard"
when considering which attempts to influence are captured by its lobbying laws,
the transport minister says.

[ozbob]

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/335-2023.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 335
Asked on 30 March 2023

Ms F Simpson asked Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games
(Hon. A Palaszczuk)―

QUESTION:

Will the Premier advise when each of the recommendations of Professor Coaldrake's 'Let
the sunshine in' report will be fully implemented?

ANSWER:

The Queensland Government has, and continues to, demonstrate its dedication to further
strengthening and improving Queensland's integrity framework. Queensland has a strong
and comprehensive integrity and accountability framework.

Professor Peter Coaldrake AO released his final report focusing on culture and
accountability in the Queensland public sector less than ten months ago.
The government gave immediate support for Professor Coaldrake's 14 recommendations
and started work to respond to the recommended reforms establishing a Taskforce and
Steering Committee to guide implementation.

These are nation leading reforms and as Professor Coaldrake himself has said, it is
important to take the time to get this right.

While responding to the recommendations requires careful consideration, significant
progress has been made.

Key achievements to date include:

• Passage of the Integrity and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2022 which includes
key integrity reforms to strengthen the independence of the Auditor-General and
Integrity Commissioner (including by creating the Office of the Integrity
Commissioner) and creates a criminal offence for unregistered lobbying.
• Investing $4 million over 4 years in the Office of the Queensland Integrity
Commissioner to better provide integrity advice and regulate lobbyists.
• Commencing the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010 review, led by eminent retired
Supreme Court Justice, Mr Alan Wilson KC, to ensure protections for whistleblowers
are appropriate.
• Ensuring stability of the public sector leadership by passing the Public Sector Act 2022
which provides for five-year initial appointment terms for Directors-General.
• Strengthening the role of the former Public Service Commission, now the Public Sector
Commission, as a system leader, steward and enabler through the Public Sector Act
2022.
• Investing $18 million over 5 years in the Public Sector Commission to deliver a Public
Sector of Excellence with a culture of performance and integrity across government.
2
• Creating a new framework for the oversight of complaints against senior public sector
employees devolved by the Crime and Corruption Commission which commenced on
1 March 2023.
• Improving the Queensland Government complaints form and webpage to make it easier
for people to make a complaint, a first step toward improving complaint management
processes.
• Commencing work on a mandatory data breach notification scheme.

The Government is giving careful consideration to Professor Coaldrake's other
recommendations and is taking the time to make sure these comprehensive reforms are
effective and genuinely improve the Queensland integrity framework.

Over the next 12 months, the Government will be continuing the program of reform
recommended by the Coaldrake Report. A second tranche of amending legislation is
expected to be before the Parliament later this year.

Our Government has also committed to becoming the most transparent Government in
Australia through the proactive release of Cabinet documents. This is a fundamental
change, and we are working through how this can best be achieved.

These remaining reforms are complex, and it is appropriate to take the time and effort to
get them right.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Crucial integrity reforms lagging despite Palaszczuk promise $

A suite of crucial reforms proposed by Professor Peter Coaldrake in his bombshell integrity report are still yet to be introduced more than 300 days after the Premier committed to them "lock, stock and barrel".

The Palaszczuk government has conceded only four of the 14 recommendations in Prof Coaldrake's landmark Let the Sunshine In report have been completed, with the rest still underway or partially done.

The LNP marked this week's 300 day anniversary since the Coaldrake report was released by attacking the government's progress, insisting Queenslanders can't afford to wait years for the reforms.

Among the significant changes proposed – and accepted by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk – was the proactive release of Cabinet submissions, agendas, and discussion papers. ...

"Cabinet In Confidence"  what a pox on transparency ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Editor's view: Integrity matters, so it's time for Palaszczuk to deliver on Coaldrake Review $

The longer implementation of the Coaldrake recommendations into the state's public sector takes, the harder it is to take Annastacia Palaszczuk seriously when she says she cares about integrity in her administration, writes the editor.

Professor Peter Coaldrake's landmark review last year into the state's public sector highlighted the Palaszczuk government's growing use of private-sector consultants – ostensibly because of a hollowing out of in-house expertise.

To help solve the problem, Professor Coaldrake recommended "the rejuvenation of the capability and capacity" of the public service and more robust accounting for the benefits derived from engaging consultants and contractors. ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1680942589036601344

[ozbob]

Couriermail 29th July 2024 page 4

Critics highlight 'gaps' in integrity legislation

[#Metro]

The Robodebt inquiry revealed informal but customary practices in the public service that amounts to a withholding of negative or inconvenient information.

These include:
- leaving inconvenient legal advice in draft form (never finalised so never officially received)
- diluting the language used to the extent that the sentiment conveyed is minimised or altered
- offering passages of text or re-written text to an 'independent' investigatory agency, which is later incorporated and presented as the investigating agencies own findings, and doing so without prominent citation of the source
- leaving reports in draft form and not accepting them for submission (so also never officially received)
- Cabinet in Confidence (I think commercial in confidence also fits in here)

While these were happening at the Federal level, given the similarities of the environment and incentive structures at State and Territory level, we should expect similar practices to have emerged at this level too.

I don't know what the answer is to the "Rhonda" issues from Utopia. Any suggestions?

[verbatim9]

These inquires into the Qld public sector are likely to go nowhere.

[ozbob]

Comprehensive review of the Public Interest Disclosure Act released

8th August 2023

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence
The Honourable Yvette D'Ath

. Review of Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010 (PID Act) makes 107 recommendations.

. Report author the Honourable Alan Wilson KC has called for a 'brand new Act'.

The Honourable Alan Wilson KC has delivered the Report on his extensive review of the PID Act.

The PID Act is a key part of Queensland's integrity framework and is designed to prevent, uncover and combat corruption and wrongdoing in Queensland's public sector.

The Report, detailing 107 recommendations, was handed to the Government, following broad consultation with stakeholders.

The Report includes proposals for:

. a brand new Act that is simple to use and easier to understand;
. an expanded reach for a streamlined public interest disclosure framework;
. a higher threshold for disclosable conduct;
. more effective management and processes for managing public interest disclosures supported by enhanced oversight; and
. better support, protections and remedies for whistleblowers.

The Palaszczuk Government broadly supports the findings of the Report and is committed to renewing Queensland's whistleblowing framework to ensure wrongdoing in the public sector can be effectively exposed and remedied, while ensuring whistleblowers are protected.

The Report is available here

Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette D'Ath:

"We are grateful for the time the Honourable Alan Wilson KC and his team have dedicated to examining submissions and, ultimately, delivering a comprehensive review into the PID Act.

"At first look, this is a game-changing review that will give whistleblowers more protections and, ultimately, the confidence to come forward.

"Understandably, being so comprehensive and broad, and with more than 100 recommendations, the Government will consider all of the recommendations and reasonings."

ENDS

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> 'Unviable': Premier axes Coaldrake integrity promise $

The Queensland government will walk away from a pledge to fully implement all recommendations in the Coaldrake review, declaring opening a clearing house for complaints and corruption concerns is "unviable".

The establishment of a "single door to government" clearing house to stop complainants being forced to navigate a "baffling" system was one of 14 recommendations in the Coaldrake review.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk – who when the review was released in June last year pledged to implement the recommendations "lock, stock and barrel" – revealed the clearing house was now "found to be unviable". ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/abcnews/status/1689124416544808960

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Editorial: Multibillion-dollar blowouts but integrity too expensive $

It does seem strange that the same state government that hid from taxpayers a $2.4bn blowout to its train building program AND happily defends its decision to build a $200m quarantine centre that was hardly used (and then given away for free) also rejected a critical integrity measure designed to weed out public sector corruption simply because it would have cost too much. And yet here we are.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's office was quick off the mark early Wednesday to deny her decision to not go ahead with the single one-stop "clearing house" for public sector complaints was a squib and a broken promise. Her spokesman pointed out the review of public sector culture by Professor Peter Coaldrake had only recommended "consideration" be given to the idea – that, we point out, he also devoted 2870 words making the case for. ...

[Stillwater]

And we can't set up an Independent Olympic Games Infrastructure Delivery Authority, despite signing off on having one with the International Olympics Committee. Integrity? Accountability? The process has now been internalised within government, principally the Dept of Premier and Cabinet, overseen by Annastacia Palaszczuk. And if there are cost overruns for Olympic Games projects or related 'legacy infrastructure', will we get more cover-ups and denial along the lines of the train manufacturing project kerfuffle? Nope, can't have a SEQ Public Transport Authority either. Public transport is the political plaything of Minister Bailey, it seems. So much for an accountable public sector whereby the Premier said she would accept and implement all of the Coldrake recommendations, only to then backtrack on her undertaking.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Auditor-General Brendan Worrall slams Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's integrity laws

Queensland's Auditor-General has pushed back at the state government's next tranche of integrity laws, saying keeping the budgets of integrity bodies under the control of the executive threatened their independence.

During a public hearing into the proposed integrity law changes on Friday, Auditor-General Brendan Worrall said it was critical the accountability of the office was shifted from the executive government to Parliament.

"(It would) ensure that the level of assurance delivered by integrity officers reflects the level Parliament requires, not the level the government may want," he said. ...