An open letter
Fifty prominent Australians, mainly Queenslanders, have signed an open letter calling on Queensland political parties to commit to uphold a set of accountability and transparency principles if elected.
The signatories include dozens of prominent Queenslanders and other Australians -- including barristers, a former Corruption and Misconduct Commissioner, social justice and environment organisations, Alan Jones and the former editor of the Courier Mail. They are all concerned about the erosion of accountability, transparency and good governance under successive Queensland Governments.
The principles were drawn up in consultation with preeminent corruption fighter the Hon. Tony Fitzgerald AC, QC in response to the erosion of accountability and transparency safeguards overseen by successive Queensland governments.
The Fitzgerald Principles:
- Govern for the peace, welfare and good government of the State;
- Make all decisions and take all actions, including public appointments, in the public interest without regard to personal, party political or other immaterial considerations;
- Treat all people equally without permitting any person or corporation special access or influence; and
- Promptly and accurately inform the public of its reasons for all significant or potentially controversial decisions and actions.
Will you add your name to the list of people calling for ALL QLD political parties to publicly commit to implementing the Fitzgerald Principles, if elected?
The Australia Institute has received responses from Queensland Labor, Bob Katter’s Australia Party, Palmer United Party, and the Queensland Greens, all of whom have agreed to act in accordance with the principles if elected. Full responses here.
The Liberal National Party has so far failed to respond.
Transparency and accountability are essential to a healthy democracy and research indicates that corruption hinders growth, increases the cost of doing business, and lowers the quality of public infrastructure.
Over successive governments, transparency and accountability concerns include:
- Large political donations have been accepted from companies seeking approval for highly controversial resource developments[1]. At the same time, caps for political donations have been scrapped and disclosure thresholds increased twelvefold. [2]
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The approval of enormous CSG/LNG projects in 2010 was also highly controversial, with allegations that the approval process was rushed at the behest of proponents without sufficient environmental assessments.[3]
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The approval of dredging in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park for the Abbot Point coal terminal, against the advice of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s (GBRMPA) own scientists, has been called into question due to coal interests of the Authority’s board members.[4]
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Recent changes to Queensland’s corruption watchdog, the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) which have been strongly criticized by the states foremost anti-corruption experts[5] and opposed by a raft of former Crime and Misconduct Commission commissioners[6]. Recent judicial appointments have also been highly controversial, receiving strong criticism from Queensland’s most senior legal figures.[7]
[1] Willacy M, May 2014, Acland coal mine: Company seeking mine expansion donated $700,000 to LNP, federal Liberal Party
AAP, May 2014. Queensland environmental policy developed by QCoal worker, says report
McCutcheon P, June 2013, Queensland government stands accused of political favours over mining lease. ABC.
[2] Remeikis A, July 2013, Queensland scraps political donation thresholds.
[3] Michelmore K and Agius C, April 2013, 'Critical information missing' from LNG approvals, ABC
Carney M and Agius C April 2014 Gas Leak! Four Corners.
[4] Duffy, C, May 2014, Great Barrier Reef board members Tony Mooney and Jon Grayson accused of conflict of interest over links to mining firms.
[5] Willacy M, May 2014, Queensland corruption fighter Doug Drummond says CMC changes 'very dangerous, very worrying'.
[6] Remeikis A, Former CMC commisioners pan watchdog changes. Brisbane Times.
[7] Lynch A, June 2014, History of unchecked executive haunts Queensland in judge fight, The Converstion.
Sign on!
An open letter to Queensland political parties,
The erosion of accountability and transparency has damaged democracy in Queensland. Successive governments have become too close to industry lobbyists and representatives, particularly from the resources industry, undermining public trust in the political process.
The current government has weakened Queensland’s anti-corruption watchdog, the Crime and Corruption Commission, and used its almost unlimited Constitutional power to legislate without regard to proportionality or individual liberties. The appointment of Queensland’s chief justice has been widely criticised by many of the state’s most senior legal figures.
Transparency and accountability are essential for a healthy democracy and research shows corruption inhibits growth, increases the cost of business and lowers the quality of public infrastructure.
For these reasons, we the undersigned join the call for ALL of Queensland’s political parties to commit to these principles of accountability put forward by prominent anti-corruption figure Tony Fitzgerald AC QC and clearly explain to the Queensland electorate, before Election Day, how these principles would be implemented if elected:
- Govern for the peace, welfare and good government of the State;
- Make all decisions and take all actions, including public appointments, in the public interest without regard to personal, party political or other immaterial considerations;
- Treat all people equally without permitting any person or corporation special access or influence; and
- Promptly and accurately inform the public of its reasons for all significant or potentially controversial decisions and actions.