Jackie Trad Blasts Release of “Terrifying and Petty” CCC Report on Conduct
Former Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad has slammed the new government’s decision to release a previously suppressed Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) report into her conduct, calling it “terrifying and petty.” The report, which was the subject of a years-long legal battle and blocked from release by a 2023 High Court ruling, was made public on Wednesday evening by the Liberal National Party (LNP).
CCC Report Details Allegations of “Aggressive” Advocacy
The CCC investigation focused on Trad’s actions during the 2018-2019 appointment process for a new state under-treasurer. The report criticizes Trad’s “aggressive” advocacy for Frankie Carroll, a longstanding colleague, who was initially deemed “not appointable” by an independent selection panel.
The report details how a “materially misleading report” by the then-director general of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Dave Stewart, changed that conclusion. Stewart told the CCC he had acted under pressure from Trad. The CCC found Stewart’s conduct “falls well below that to be expected by the state’s most senior public servant.”
No Charges Filed, but Report Released Under Parliamentary Privilege
Ultimately, the CCC concluded there was insufficient evidence to charge either Trad or Stewart with criminal or corrupt conduct. Trad had previously taken legal action to prevent the report’s release, which was finalized in 2021.
- A 2023 High Court decision in a separate CCC case effectively blocked the watchdog from publicly releasing its investigation reports.
- The Crisafulli government bypassed this ruling by tabling the report under parliamentary privilege, allowing its details to be published.
Trad Condemns Release, Questions CCC’s Conduct
Trad strongly criticized the release, stating the reports were “unlawful” and that the LNP had disregarded the High Court’s decision. She accused the government of setting “a dangerous precedent” by using parliamentary numbers to override a court judgment “without legislative amendment or scrutiny.”
“Once again, the CCC have investigated and released a report that has found no evidence I engaged in corrupt conduct, misconduct in public office or any other criminal offence,” Trad said.
She further stated she had attempted to settle the matter with the CCC in 2023, but they did not respond and chose to proceed to the High Court. “Every single member of the full bench of the high court resoundingly found against the CCC,” she emphasized.
Trad Highlights Concerns about CCC’s Powers and Impartiality
The former Deputy Premier expressed deep concerns about the CCC, stating it was “both deeply concerning and an embarrassment” that the watchdog had “fundamentally misunderstood the legislation governing the exercise of their enormous and expansive powers.”
She pointed to prior instances raising questions about the agency:
- An all-party parliamentary committee found the CCC had failed to act independently, impartially, and fairly in the pursuit of elected Logan city councillors.
- The Director of Public Prosecutions had to withdraw multiple matters due to a lack of evidence supporting charges stemming from CCC investigations.
“For the LNP government to now release the reports against the judgment of the high court, and in light of the CCC’s recent track record, for the purposes of political point-scoring is both terrifying and petty,” Trad concluded.
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