Queensland corruption fighter Tony Fitzgerald says Newman Government has "flaunted its disdain for democracy and good governance"

Extract from ABC News

By Francis Tapim and staff

Updated 3 hours 53 minutes ago

 

Photo: Tony Fitzgerald says he is unlikely to make further public statements on the matter. (AAP: Steve Gray, file photo)

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Map: QLD

Former Queensland corruption fighter Tony Fitzgerald has launched another scathing attack against the Newman Government.

Mr Fitzgerald says constant requests for interviews about politics in Queensland have forced him to make a statement.
The former corruption fighter says the Newman Government is using its majority to dominate debate both inside and outside Parliament.
Mr Fitzgerald also hit out at News Corporation Australia, accusing them of publishing biased reports favouring the Liberal National Party (LNP).

"Queensland is extremely vulnerable to the misuse and abuse of power.
"There are almost no constitutional limits on the power of the State's single house of parliament.
"Unless there is an effective parliamentary opposition to advocate alternative policies, criticise government errors, denounce excesses of power and reflect, inform and influence public opinion, the checks and balances needed for democracy are entirely missing."
— Tony Fitzgerald

Mr Fitzgerald said it would be unlikely he would comment on the matter further, citing his wish for anonymity and privacy in retirement.
In the statement, he said the State Government has "flaunted its disdain for democracy and good governance" by attacking the independence of the judiciary and the state's Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC).
Premier Campbell Newman has been contacted for comment.
Last month, Mr Fitzgerald condemned the appointment of Tim Carmody as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, raising concerns about Judge Carmody's experience and questioning whether he has been too supportive of government policies.
Judge Carmody, 58, served as counsel assisting the Fitzgerald Inquiry into corruption in the late 1980s.
"People whose ambition exceeds their ability aren't all that unusual," Mr Fitzgerald said following the appointment.
"However, it's deeply troubling that the megalomaniacs currently holding power in Queensland are prepared to damage even fundamental institutions like the Supreme Court and cast doubt on fundamental principles like the independence of the judiciary."
Mr Fitzgerald also openly criticised changes to the CMC that allow the Government to appoint a chairperson without bipartisan approval.
"This debacle will adversely affect Queenslanders and ultimately end in tears for the Government, which has staked our future and its future on the whims of a few inexperienced, arrogant fools who seem unaware of the extent of their own ignorance," Mr Fitzgerald wrote in an email to the ABC in May.

Mr Fitzgerald ended his latest statement by saying Queenslanders have to decide at the next election which party will do the least long-term damage to the state.