A report by the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission suggests that the risk of corruption had “intensified” within the state government, amid rising lobbying.
He found that a small number of key groups and individuals seemed to have “disproportionate access” to government and could be using these relationships to “influence the government’s decision”.
“In some cases, individuals or groups who are allowed access have close, long-term political or personal connections with decision-makers or the government they want to influence,” the report said on Friday. .
“Furthermore, in some circumstances, these individuals have been implicated by a political party or government agency while still involved in influential practices, such as lobbying.”
Meanwhile, the report, Influencing Practices in Queensland, also found that there had been a “substantial increase” in lobbying activities in the state.
“The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated economic recovery efforts appear to have contributed to the recent increase in lobbying activities in Queensland,” the report said.
The report also revealed that 14% of public service employees had seen or suspected that there was pressure from the private sector on employees in the department.
While 11% had seen or suspected that there was pressure from the private sector on elected officials.
The report also indicated how, in recent research, it has been found that individuals or groups have prepared or developed relationships with key people to influence government decisions.
In a 2021 audit, the CCC identified 103 discrepancies between public authority records and contacts listed in the Queensland lobbyist contact record.
“While there may not be an open quid pro quo, a person who has been happy with a decision maker for a long period of time may benefit from that person’s favorable vision,” he said.
He also acknowledged that a relationship between the lobbyist and the elected official was not necessarily an indicator or cause of corruption.
However, it has been pointed out that it could lead to a conflict of interest and increase the risk or perception of “favoritism or undue influence”.
Possibly public hearings
The CCC aims to examine the extent to which public authorities have accurately recorded contacts between pressure groups and government and opposition representatives.
“The audit will involve examining the records of a sample of public authorities, including state government departments and local councils, as well as members of parliament and ministerial offices,” the report says.
He said the audit would allow him to proactively evaluate and identify any activity or association that could jeopardize the public interest.
The CCC suggested in the report that it could hold a public hearing if justified.
The Olympics carry a higher risk
The CCC said the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games carried “a high risk of undue influence.”
“In Queensland, the government has already begun planning and contracting for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” the report says.
“As high-profile projects and developments are announced, there will be a growing demand for sites and contracts.”
Opposition leader David Crisafulli says the report was an explosive development. (ABC News: Alice Pavlovic)
Opposition leader David Crisafulli said the Games were not “special favors, for special comrades”.
“We want to make sure that the delivery of the infrastructure is done on time and on budget, that the best contractor gets the most decent job, not the one with the most influence,” he said.
He said the report was generally a “deeply worrying development” in the Queensland integrity crisis.
“It shows a culture that is rotting through the state government, a culture where lobbyists have free control, unrestricted access and where the internal workings of the political process are concerned, not how we can serve. the people of Queensland, ”Crisafulli said.
“There is no doubt that the level of influence of Labor pressure groups in Queensland is at an alarming level.
“Unless we have a full-fledged royal commission on how the government works in Queensland, we will continue to see the murky relationship.”
Posted 2 hours, 2 hours ago, Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 1:20 AM, updated 29 minutes ago, 29 minutes ago, Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 3:28 AM