Accusations made against former public trustee Peter Carne will be hidden from the public after he won a last-ditch appeal to block the release of a report by Queensland’s anti-corruption watchdog.
Carne was in response to allegations made against him. He later resigned.
The,meaning a report into his alleged corruption could not be handed to the Queensland Speaker,and thereby published with the protection of parliamentary privilege.
That privilege would have nullified any potential defamation action brought by Carne.
Shadow attorney-general Tim Nicholls said the decision could shape the future of accountability and transparency in Queensland and said the CCC must appeal the decision,all the way to the High Court.
“The effect of (Friday’s) decision will send a shiver down the spine of all those who fight for openness,transparency,and accountability in executive government,” he said.
“If this precedent stands ... it will hamstring the ability of the CCC to perform one of its primary purposes,which is to report to the public on its investigations.
“If this precedent stands,it means serious cases of maladministration,like the inappropriate interference in the appointment of a Brisbane high school principal,will be kept secret from the taxpayers of Queensland.”
That was a reference to former deputy premier and treasurer Jackie Trad,who over her role in the appointment a principal for a new high school in her South Brisbane electorate.
Trad has a,in an attempt to prevent the release of a report into her alleged role in the recruitment of a senior Treasury official.
As for the CCC,a spokesman for the corruption watchdog was still digesting Friday’s verdict.
“The CCC is considering the decision and what implications it may have for the work of the commission,” he said.
Previously,however,CCC chairman Bruce Barbour conceded such cases could force the watchdog to seek outside counsel on its operational practices.
“Should there be an increase in the number of people who start to take notice to the Supreme Court to prevent the publication of reports,it may well be a matter that we would seek advice on,”.