More than 30 years since the Fitzgerald Inquiry exposed widespread graft and misconduct in Queensland, the state has again turned to Tony Fitzgerald to run an inquiry into its under-fire corruption watchdog, the Crime and Corruption Commission.
In the past week, Annastacia Palaszczuk’s government has come under increasing pressure to agree to an inquiry as accusations emerged of an “integrity crisis” caused by a series of apparently unrelated events – the resignation of the Queensland integrity commissioner amid concerns about interference with her office; the resignation of CCC chair Alan MacSporran; and criticism by the former state archivist about political interference. The LNP opposition had called for “Fitzgerald 2.0”.
A commission of inquiry into the CCC had been a recommendation of its parliamentary oversight body, after hearings into the CCC’s handling of abandoned charges against eight Logan councillors found it had breached its duty to remain independent and impartial.
Some in the local government sector have subsequently claimed the CCC is “out of control” and should be shorn of powers.
The premier said on Monday that cabinet had agreed to an inquiry into the CCC and had turned to the one person, above all others, who could bring the process serious credibility.
Fitzgerald, 80, will chair the inquiry alongside retired supreme court judge Alan Wilson.
Palaszczuk said she admired Fitzgerald for the way his 1980s inquiry, which exposed corruption during the latter years of National party government, had shaped modern Queensland.
The former premier, Joh Bjelke-Petersen, resigned amid Fitzgerald’s initial inquiry. Three former National party ministers and the police commissioner, Terry Lewis, were jailed as a result. Lewis was also stripped of his knighthood.
More than 30 years on, the inquiry is still the major touchstone on corruption issues.
“It is clear a review of the CCC is needed,” Palaszczuk said.
“Who better than Tony Fitzgerald to conduct it?”
“No one can argue about Tony Fitzgerald’s independence. To do its job, the public must have absolute confidence in the CCC and this commission of inquiry.”
Among the matters that Fitzgerald and Wilson will investigate is the role of seconded police officers to the CCC; something that had been of concern prior to more recent events.
Opposition leader David Crisafulli said the inquiry should be more wide-ranging than simply the CCC.
“Queenslanders are smarter than this and won’t have the wool pulled over their eyes,” he said.
“Anything short of a full royal commission into the widespread systemic integrity issues ripping through the Queensland Government is a cop out.”
“Attempts to hose down the CCC bin fire completely ignores the integrity inferno burning through the heart of the government. The state government’s integrity crisis is so much bigger than the announcement we have seen today.”
