Queensland premier backflips on plan to shut police centre

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has sensationally overruled her police minister over plans to shut down a police communications centre.

Five days after Police Minister Jo-Ann Miller announced the Ipswich Police Communications Centre controversial closure, the premier has been forced to step in and confirm it would remain open.

Ms Palaszczuk has defended Ms Miller and instead pointed the finger at state Police Commissioner Ian Stewart, who is said to have announced the closure without the government’s approval.

The move sparked protest from around 100 officers in Ipswich yesterday and drew criticism from local mayor Paul Pisasale and police union boss Ian Leavers.

The premier has demanded more consultation from Mr Stewart.

“The commissioner needs to get on board and understand the world has changed,” Ms Palaszczuk said today.

“You must consult with the stakeholders.

“When you're making a major decision like this ... you must take more people with you.”

It is the third police mess Ms Palaszczuk has had to clean up in her government’s short history.

Ms Miller was accused of “going soft” on criminals when she announced a plan to issue more community corrects orders to reduce prison crowding.

She was also referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission after allegedly phoning a whistleblower into police corruption while the investigation was underway.