Media Release
2 July 2014 by Annastacia Palaszczuk
A future State Labor Government will reverse the damage the
Newman Government has caused to Queensland and restore integrity and
accountability in our state, Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk
announced today.
Speaking on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the day Tony Fitzgerald QC handed down his watershed report into corruption in Queensland, Ms Palaszczuk said Labor was committed to re-introducing political transparency and integrity that had vanished under Campbell Newman’s Queensland.
Ms Palaszczuk said the reforms to be implemented under Labor included:
“Since being elected in March 2012, Campbell Newman and the LNP have used their massive majority to trash democracy in Queensland,” Ms Palaszczuk.
“The way it is now, Campbell Newman and the LNP control who is in charge of our anti-corruption watchdog.
“Campbell Newman says he is accountable but accountability, trustworthiness and integrity don’t come from words, they come from actions.
“In just two years, the Newman Government has attacked the independence of the judiciary, watered down the independence of the anti-corruption watchdog, sacked the Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee, made it easier for LNP mates to make secret donations that will never be declared, and the list goes on.
“One of the most retrograde changes made by the Newman Government is the decision to increase the disclosure level for political donations from $1000 to $12,400.
“The risks associated with political donations were clearly identified in the Fitzgerald Report, which was handed down 25 years ago this week – and Labor took steps to protect our democracy.
“But the LNP has shown that it is incapable of learning from the failures of past conservative governments and has wound back the safeguards regarding accountability and integrity.
“Well, I have a message for Premier Newman and the LNP – our democracy is not for sale.
“The reforms that Labor is committing to today are our first stage in fixing the mess that Campbell Newman has created when it comes to accountability in Queensland.
“We are also making it clear to donors now that the legislation will be retrospective so they keep accurate records relating to political donations.”
The full policy, Restoring Integrity and Accountability in Queensland: Democracy Not For Sale, can be viewed at www.accountableqld.com
Queenslanders are invited to submit their ideas for further reforms that may be required.
Direct Link to Policy Document
Speaking on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the day Tony Fitzgerald QC handed down his watershed report into corruption in Queensland, Ms Palaszczuk said Labor was committed to re-introducing political transparency and integrity that had vanished under Campbell Newman’s Queensland.
Ms Palaszczuk said the reforms to be implemented under Labor included:
- Reversing the LNP’s decision to lift the disclosure level for political donations from $1000 to $12,400
- Introducing laws to ensure the disclosure of all donations to any political parties over $1000 is made retrospective to 21 November, 2013 when the LNP laws came into effect
- Continuing to disclose details regarding all political donations of $1000 or greater, even while in opposition.
- Ms Palaszczuk said a future state Labor Government would also:
- Ensure all appointments of the Chair and the CEO of the state’s anti-corruption watchdog had bipartisan support
- Limit temporary appointments for the Chair, Commissioners and CEO of the state’s anti-corruption watchdog to three months, unless there is bipartisan support
- Commence new recruitment processes for the Chair and CEO of the anti-corruption watchdog under the new appointment arrangements
- Require bipartisan support for the appoint of a non-Government Chair of the Parliamentary Committee
- Enable anonymous complaints to the anti-corruption watchdog
- Reinstate the anti-corruption watchdog’s prevention function and ensure this function is not under the direction of the Attorney-General.
“Since being elected in March 2012, Campbell Newman and the LNP have used their massive majority to trash democracy in Queensland,” Ms Palaszczuk.
“The way it is now, Campbell Newman and the LNP control who is in charge of our anti-corruption watchdog.
“Campbell Newman says he is accountable but accountability, trustworthiness and integrity don’t come from words, they come from actions.
“In just two years, the Newman Government has attacked the independence of the judiciary, watered down the independence of the anti-corruption watchdog, sacked the Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee, made it easier for LNP mates to make secret donations that will never be declared, and the list goes on.
“One of the most retrograde changes made by the Newman Government is the decision to increase the disclosure level for political donations from $1000 to $12,400.
“The risks associated with political donations were clearly identified in the Fitzgerald Report, which was handed down 25 years ago this week – and Labor took steps to protect our democracy.
“But the LNP has shown that it is incapable of learning from the failures of past conservative governments and has wound back the safeguards regarding accountability and integrity.
“Well, I have a message for Premier Newman and the LNP – our democracy is not for sale.
“The reforms that Labor is committing to today are our first stage in fixing the mess that Campbell Newman has created when it comes to accountability in Queensland.
“We are also making it clear to donors now that the legislation will be retrospective so they keep accurate records relating to political donations.”
The full policy, Restoring Integrity and Accountability in Queensland: Democracy Not For Sale, can be viewed at www.accountableqld.com
Queenslanders are invited to submit their ideas for further reforms that may be required.
Direct Link to Policy Document
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