Qld organised crime inquiry begins

Queenslanders are being encouraged to come forward with information about organised crime to assist a wide-ranging commission of inquiry.

The probe, which Labor promised during the 2015 state election campaign, is being spearheaded by the former deputy director of Public Prosecution Michael Byrne QC.

The leading criminal barrister is also the chairman of Racing Queensland, which itself will be subject to an inquiry following the state's greyhound racing live-baiting scandal.

The inquiry will examine the nature of organised crime in Queensland and the impact it has on the community.

It has been asked to examine the scope of crime and hand down recommendations about how to tackle the activity.

"The commission's final report will identify current and emerging organised crime threats in a range of criminal activity," Mr Byrne said.

Its terms of reference include illicit drug markets, online child sex offending and financial crimes.

The inquiry, due to report to the premier by October 30, will hold public hearings in coming months.

"If you believe you have information that is relevant to our terms of reference, and particularly if you have been affected by organised crime in Queensland, I encourage you to provide that information to the commission," Mr Byrne said.

The commissioner will be assisted by Michael Copley QC, Julie Sharp and Penny White.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has previously defended Mr Byrne's appointment amid the live-baiting scandal that engulfed the racing industry.

"They're two separate issues and I think Michael Byrne is an extremely well-respected lawyer and his appointment has been largely welcomed," she said last week.