Qld public servant info misuse under focus

The misuse of personal and sensitive information by Queensland public servants will go under the microscope, the state's corruption watchdog has announced.

A public hearing will be held in November looking into situations where information has been misused or improperly accessed, says Crime and Corruption Commission boss Alan MacSporran QC.

He says the issue is a matter of "significant public interest" and an important area of focus for the organisation.

The CCC says it has worked with the Queensland Police to lower complaints of information misuse against it, but there has been an increase in complaints about other public sector agencies.

Mr MacSporran says it is a longstanding issue which can potentially involve serious contraventions of rights to privacy, and in some circumstances, can be a criminal offence.

"This can include information of a deeply personal nature, the revelation of which may have a substantial detrimental effect on an individual's privacy, reputation or safety," he said.

The hearing will examine issues and procedures within government departments including the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Corrective Services, Department of Education, Department of Health and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

The CCC will be calling for public submissions before the hearing as part of Operation Impala.