New interim Qld crime and corruption boss

Laine Clark |

There is more movement at the top of Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission.

Former NSW Ombudsman Bruce Barbour was on Friday appointed immediate acting commission boss, days after chairperson Alan MacSporran’s resignation.

“Mr Barbour’s appointment is for three months while the recruitment process for a permanent replacement is undertaken,” Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said.

Mr Barbour steps up after Mr MacSporran resigned on Tuesday, saying his relationship with the parliamentary watchdog had “broken down irretrievably”.

He stepped down after a Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee report was released in December called for a royal commission into the CCC.

The PCCC found the corruption commission didn’t act “independently and impartially” in laying fraud charges against the former Logan mayor and seven councillors in 2019.

Its inquiry was launched in April after prosecutors dropped the charges due to a lack of evidence.

Cabinet is considering a response to the PCCC report before parliament returns next month.

“Mr Barbour has extensive experience in administrative law and conducting investigations, and held the highly-respected position of NSW Ombudsman for 15 years,” Ms Fentiman said.

“He has the capability and skills to lead the CCC in the interim and has a thorough understanding of its operations since being appointed as an Ordinary Commissioner in 2021.”

Mr Barbour’s resume includes time as Queensland Integrity Commissioner, plus NSW Ombudsman, member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, and NSW Casino Control Authority.

The attorney-general said the role of permanent CCC chair will be advertised nationally and the state government will consult with the PCCC throughout the recruitment process.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed on Friday the CCC was probing a complaint made by the integrity commissioner against the Public Service Commission.

Integrity Commissioner Nikola Stepanov finishes her role in June after tendering her resignation last week.

Dr Stepanov complained of “interference” in her role, claiming that the PSC confiscated a laptop from her office and later deleted its contents “without my knowledge or consent” last year.

State opposition and LNP leader David Crisafulli has written to Ms Palaszczuk asking for a royal commission into government integrity but the premier has rejected the request.

AAP