ROYAL COMMISSION NEEDED NOW!

State Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek has demanded a Royal Commission into alleged State Government corruption. “When Parliament resumes next week, I will be asking the Government to recommend to the Governor that a Royal Commission be established to investigate the culture of secrecy, political nepotism and allegations of corruption within the Government,” Mr Langbroek said.

“The corruption allegations go all the way to the Cabinet Table and Queenslanders need an independent and open inquiry into the very serious allegations of corruption and cronyism and in the Queensland Government. Mr Langbroek said any investigation other than a Royal Commission would not have the broad-ranging and extensive powers that enable the inquiry to offer witnesses immunity from intimidation, the power to search and seize documents, and to conduct the hearings in public. 

“The Premier cannot suggest the CMC is a standing Royal Commission when it does not have the same extensive powers.

“The CMC also can’t investigate the behaviour or all actions of State Parliamentarians and local councillors.

“This is the very reason Peter Beattie set up a separate Royal Commission to investigate the Bundaberg Hospital allegations relating to Doctor Patel.

“The Premier’s statement that we only need a green paper to look at reform options over the next six months—effectively trivialising systemic corruption—does her absolutely no credit.

“The constant stream of failures, illegal behaviour, and culture of secrecy shows a Government that is systematically mismanaged, and rotten to the core.

“This is a Government that is teetering on the brink of collapse,” said Mr Langbroek.