Qld govt backs integrity recommendations

Nick Gibbs and Robyn WuthAAP
Camera IconAnnastacia Palaszczuk has welcomed the findings of a review into Queensland's government culture. Credit: AAP

Queensland's attorney-general has admitted she was aware of bullying complaints in the public service following the release of a report outlining a culture in need of major reform.

The state government committed to adopting all 14 recommendations from an exhaustive review of the public service within hours of the 131-page report being handed down late on Tuesday.

But while she was aware bullying complaints were made "from time to time", Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said the extent of the findings was a surprise.

"Like any review ... you learn things, and we have said it's unacceptable," she told 4BC radio Brisbane on Wednesday.

The final report handed down by Professor Peter Coaldrake pointed to a culture too tolerant of bullying and a public service reluctant to deviate from the perceived official government line.

Read more...

"Queenslanders can have faith now that the premier has acted so swiftly and so strongly to accept these recommendations," Ms Fentiman said.

The report also called for the reigning-in of access and influence of lobbyists, including an explicit ban on "dual hatting" of professional lobbyists during election campaigns.

The Liberal National opposition also backed the report's recommendations as leader David Crisafulli sought to link integrity issues directly with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

"The premier must front the media today and show why she can lead the government out of the mess she has created," he said.

Mr Crisafulli said a poor culture was having a direct impact on the government's ability to deliver services.

"That's why our health system is in disarray, that's why law and order in the state is what it is, that's why people are living in cars - because this government no longer governs for Queenslanders, it governs for its mates and it governs for its survival," he said.

Katter's Australia Party welcomed the report's release, but said it would do little to settle the concerns of residents.

"Based on this report, no one appears to be to blame for the cultural toxicity that has permeated our public service in recent years, and yet everyone is," leader Robbie Katter said.

The Greens described the reforms as bandaid solutions to a systemic level of interference in the public service.

""The recommendations coming out of the Coaldrake review are welcome, but they simply don't go far enough to restore public faith in a fundamentally broken system," member for Maiwar Michael Berkman said.

Premier Palaszczuk said she not only welcomed the report but embraced it.

"I would not have asked Professor Coaldrake to conduct this review if I did not want reform," she said on Tuesday.

"(The recommendations) are bold, they are comprehensive and they are visionary and they are exactly what I want."

Ms Palaszczuk on Monday pre-empted several of the report's key recommendations by announcing a tightening of regulations surrounding lobbyists and their level of access.

The review also proposed Queensland's auditor-general be granted more independence and given broader scope to monitor the departmental use of consultants and contractors.

Additionally, the ombudsman should be able to investigate complaints against private organisations carrying out functions on behalf of the government.

Public service bosses should be given five-year contracts, unaligned to the electoral cycle, it said.

Ms Palaszczuk said the report will go to cabinet on Monday.

"Once (the recommendations) are implemented, Queensland will have the most transparent and accountable government in Australia," she said.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails