Integrity plot thickens: CCC refutes watchdog claims about missing laptop
Queensland’s corruption watchdog has refuted a senior public servant’s claim it was involved in the controversial removal and deletion of a laptop from the integrity commissioner’s office.
Dr Nikola Stepanov says the computer was seized by Public Service Commission staff and wiped without her knowledge or permission on March 12.
Sheās lodged a formal complaint about the incident with the Crime and Corruption Commission.
However PSC chief executive Robert Setter denies the laptop was confiscated, saying it was āprovided to the CCC at their requestā.
CCC acting chair Bruce Barbour has refuted that claim, saying his agency had no involvement in the laptopās removal.
He said the watchdog asked the PSC for the laptop as part of an investigation in August, four months after it was taken.
āThe reason I just mentioned what I did is to make it clear that it wasnāt at the request of the CCC that laptops were removed from the office of the Integrity Commissioner,ā Barbour told a parliamentary committee on Friday.
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āThe timing, as I just indicated to you, it does not support that fact.ā
The CCC acting chair said its investigation into the laptop ā Operation Workshop ā relates to āthe potential release of confidential informationā.
Barbour also cast doubt on Premier Annastacia Palaszczukās response when Dr Stepanov raised concerns about the laptop with her then director-general in March and early April.
On April 22, the premier referred credit card misconduct and workplace bullying allegations against the integrity commissioner to the parliamentary Economics and Governance Committee.
However, Barbour said his agency had already probed both of allegations involving Dr Stepanov in January.
He said the credit card complaint has been dismissed, while the CCC didnāt have jurisdiction to probe the bullying allegation.
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āThere was insufficient evidence to raise a reasonable suspicion of corrupt conduct and advised the notified agency of that decision on the 25th of January,ā Barbour said.
The bullying complaint was sent back to the PSC to do its own probe, which the CCC was still monitoring.
Ms Palaszczuk said she was legally obligated to make a referral about Dr Stepanov, but will not comment further.
āI canāt comment because itās in committee,ā the premier told reporters on Thursday.
Dr Stepanov said she doesnāt know the details of the allegations, so sheās unable to either respond or defend herself.
The committee is believed to be seeking legal advice so it can issue a statement about the matter, and the integrity commissioner wants its findings to be publicly released.
āThere is also a legal maxim that says, ājustice delayed is justice deniedā,ā Dr Stepanov said in a statement on Friday.
āIt is my sincere desire that any allegations that have been made against me be investigated fully, independently, and expeditiously; and that the outcome of any such investigation be made public as soon as possible.ā
Dr Stepanov, who finishes in her role in July, also called for a Commission of Inquiry into integrity complaints against the Palaszczuk government on Monday.
Meanwhile, a Queenās Counsel is probing former state archivist Mike Summerellās allegations of interference in his role, and claims his annual reports were altered.
Professor Peter Coaldrake is also reviewing state government integrity, but he wonāt hear individual complaints.
Another three reviews are also looking at whether the CCC, the integrity commissioner and the Office of the Independent Assessor, the local government watchdog, are fit for purpose.
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