Qld's CCC hits out at public disclosures

There's a renewed push in Queensland to punish people who refer others to the state's corruption watchdog for political gain.

It comes after the Crime and Corruption Commission announced on Thursday it found nothing to suggest late Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Steve Jones and his council engaged in corrupt conduct over a land-swap deal.

"The CCC ... has determined that the available information does not raise a reasonable suspicion of corrupt conduct by the then mayor or any LVRC employee," the watchdog said in a statement.

It also hit out at its investigation being made public during the council election campaign.

"Regrettably this is another example of an allegation of corrupt conduct being made public before the CCC has had the opportunity to assess the matter and determine whether there was any merit in investigating the allegation," the CCC said.

CCC chair Alan MacSporran this month told a parliamentary committee that publicly disclosing a CCC referral should be a criminal offence to ensure complaints were made confidentially.

"No matter how many times you say and report the outcome, the fact that someone has been alleged to be engaged in corrupt conduct often stays with them for an extended period," Mr MacSporran said at the time.

"That's completely unfair."

Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker on Thursday backed Mr MacSporran's push for the new criminal offence, insisting Labor often used the CCC for political purposes.

Former Premier Campbell Newman was cleared after being targeted over his family's business ties during the 2012 election campaign, while the CCC determined recent claims that Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk was involved in a "secret land deal" didn't warrant investigation.

"Just to be able to say I've referred so-and-so to the CCC carries with it imputations that shouldn't be allowed to stand," Mr Walker said.

"Something needs to be done and we'd certainly welcome any suggestions that Mr MacSporran has as to how to deal with that issue."

The Strengthening Grantham project, which was referred to the CCC, saw about 100 Grantham residents moved to higher ground under a land-swap deal after 12 people were killed in floods in the small town in 2011.

Lockyer Valley's acting mayor, Tanya Milligan, said she was not surprised the allegations weren't substantiated, insisting they were an attempt to smear Mr Jones' reputation.

"The disgusting timing of the allegations and the public airing of them just a day before Steve's funeral took a real emotional toll on Steve's family and the council organisation as a whole at an already sad time for all involved," she said.

Mr Jones died from a suspected stroke after collapsing during a meeting with other mayors in February.