Queensland premier defends against alleged integrity failings 20220214 p5yeqw.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk defends referral of complaints against integrity commissioner

Marina Trajkovich

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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has responded to allegations there is an integrity problem in her government, amid new concerns spanning several departments.

Ms Palaszczuk has defended the complaint filed against integrity commissioner Dr Nikola Stepanov, found to have been issued shortly after the commissioner's own concerns were raised.

Dr Stepanov is serving her last five months in public office, following her resignation this month over government interference claims.

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Annastacia Palaszczuk has defended a complaint filed against integrity commissioner Dr Nikola Stepanov.

Annastacia Palaszczuk has defended a complaint filed against integrity commissioner Dr Nikola Stepanov. 9News

Ms Palaszczuk said the misconduct report against Dr Stepanov was filed on the advice of the solicitor-general, adding she was unaware of the integrity commissioner's concerns until months later.

"If I didn't refer it, I would be in breach of my obligations as premier of this state," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"I have personally no issues with the integrity commissioner."

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has called the misconduct claims against Dr Stepanov "a square up" and a "hit job".

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Nikola Stepanov is serving her last five months in public office, following her resignation this month.

Nikola Stepanov is serving her last five months in public office, following her resignation this month. Supplied

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Dr Stepanov today thanked her supporters.

"A special thank you to those who reached out yesterday," she said in a statement.

"It is entirely to be expected that as part of any meaningful change process there will be ebbs and flows."

The agencies which received the referrals against Dr Stepanov - the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) and a Parliamentary committee - have declined to comment.

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Last week, 9News received former archivist Mike Summerell's report detailing his own integrity claims, which allege widespread misuse of private emails among government ministers.

"The evidence of this investigation is that the use of private email accounts by ministers is potentially widespread," Mr Summerell's statement read.

"The widespread nature and frequency of this practice was disturbing."

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In the 2017 report, Mr Summerell called out Minister for Main Roads Mark Bailey, Deputy Premier Steven Miles and Energy Minister Mick De Brenni for improper use of personal emails.

Mr Summerell claims he wished to contact five other ministers about these issues but was directed not to.

On Friday, Ms Palaszczuk released the report, drawing fresh accusations it had been watered down to protect ministers.

Dr Miles this week denied using his private email address for official government business.

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"No. I do have a private email account though," he said.

Mr Bailey said all allegations had been cleared by the CCC, currently under investigation itself, when concerns were first aired five years ago.

"Every single email was looked at by the CCC," he said.

"They are an independent standing royal commission."

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