Legendary judge Tony Fitzgerald QC – who in 1989 led a landmark inquiry into Queensland government corruption – has been tapped to lead a royal commission into the state’s Crime and Corruption Commission.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Monday announced a “Fitzgerald inquiry 2.0” amid serious concerns over the culture and practices of the state’s corruption watchdog, the independent body that had been the subject of a scathing report in late 2021.
Ms Palaszczuk’s government has been under pressure to act on the CCC after sitting on the December 2 report tabled by the parliamentary crime and corruption committee.
On Monday it duly acted, announcing Mr Fitzgerald as the man to lead the probe alongside retired Supreme Court judge Alan Wilson QC.
“It is clear a review of the CCC is needed,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Who better than Tony Fitzgerald to conduct it?”
Mr Fitzgerald headed the historic inquiry that uncovered systemic corruption in Queensland 35 years ago that led to the resignation of the Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, as well as the jailing of several ministers and a police commissioner
He established the Criminal Justice Commission, later renamed the CCC, to continue the work of his inquiry.
The Premier said Mr Fitzgerald would conduct the commission of inquiry recommended by the parliamentary crime and corruption committee.
The review is expected to take six months.
Among other things, the PCCC report accused chairman Alan MacSporran of failing to ensure the CCC acted independently and impartially in its handling of an investigation into Logan City Council.
The CCC’s prosecution of eight Logan councillors failed spectacularly last year when fraud charges were discontinued.
The December 2 report did not ask Mr MacSporran to resign – although he did so last week – but PCCC chair and Scenic Rim MP Jon Krause did recommend a commission of inquiry into the CCC for its actions.
Opposition leader David Crisafulli last week even called for a Fitzgerald inquiry 2.0 as the government faced questions on its integrity, including allegations it interfered with the work of senior state officials.
