Investigation 'compromised' when CCC boss answered his phone, LNP says
The investigation into Deputy Premier Jackie Trad's undisclosed Woolloongabba property purchase was "compromised" the second the chairman of Queensland's corruption watchdog took a phone call from her, according to the LNP.
On Monday, Ms Trad referred herself to the Crime and Corruption Commission over her family company VBT Investments' purchase of the property along the route of Cross River Rail, a project for which she had ministerial responsibility.
The day before she referred herself, Ms Trad phoned CCC chairman Alan MacSporran about the matter.
Ms Trad said it was a "courtesy" call, but shadow attorney-general David Janetzki said it was "inappropriate" and insisted the chairman not involve himself in any aspect of the investigation.
Mr Janetzki wrote to Mr MacSporran on Thursday, asking for an independent person to assess whether Ms Trad's purchase was corrupt, and suggested an outside Queen's counsel be brought in to spearhead the probe.
"By making a cold call to you directly while she was the subject of a complaint, the Deputy Premier has compromised the CCC's independence and a not unreasonable suggestion arises of political interference in the operations of the CCC," Mr Janetzki wrote.
"The independence, and equally as important, the perception of independence of the CCC, must be beyond reproach.
"Without any reflection on you or your role as chairman of the CCC, I ask you to consider stepping aside from the Deputy Premier['s] assessment and any investigation."
Ms Trad, who will embark on an overseas trade mission on Friday, said the purpose of the call was to inform Mr MacSporran she would be "fully co-operating with whatever assessment or outcome of that assessment that the CCC would undertake".
"In no way, shape or form was I suggesting or implying a particular outcome.
"It was a matter of courtesy. I made a file note of it."
Earlier on Thursday, the Premier said she would wait for an official investigation to be launched into her deputy's purchase of a house before deciding whether or not to sack her.
"I don't even know if it's under assessment yet, since it's been forwarded," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"At the moment it hasn't even been assessed, so let's wait and see where it's at."
- with Felicity Caldwell and AAP