Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has confessed that she’s not troubled by a damning report into the culture of Queensland’s public sector despite being ‘shocked’ at some of the allegations raised.
She’s also admitted for the first time that she may not run again in 2024.
The report by Professor Peter Coaldrake found there was a culture of bullying and short-term political thinking and that public servants were belittled by ministerial staff.
It also raised serious concerns about lobbying as well as a lack of transparency and accountability.
Professor Coaldrake made 14 recommendations which the Premier has vowed to implement.
“I want to thank Peter Coldrake for the outstanding work that he has done. I commissioned the report into a review of culture and accountability into the Queensland government, including the public service and I’m very pleased that we will accept every single one of the recommendations,” The Premier said.
Ms Palaszczuk says the most fundamental of the changes will be the release of cabinet papers after 30 days instead of 30 years.
“It is groundbreaking. As I said, it is revolutionary and the government embraces this.”
The Premier admitted that she was “shocked and surprised” at some of the things in the report but insists it is actually a positive thing.
“I embrace it. It doesn’t trouble me. I embrace it.
“I think this is a good thing for government. I asked for it, Peter Coldrake has delivered it and now we are going to implement all of the recommendations.”
The Premier has also apologised for not fronting the media yesterday, blaming dental surgery for being unable to hold a media conference.
“It was an emergency. I just had to get it done alright. I’m sorry, I was in my office working and I would have loved to have come and seen you. I was hoping to see you in the afternoon, but unfortunately, I couldn’t speak.”
Ms Palaszczuk has revealed she is yet to decide whether she will run for Premier again in the 2024 election.
While she says she is “absolutely” committed to seeing out the remainder of this term, she is non-committal about serving beyond that.
“Maybe. Looking at it. I love this job, and it’s up to the people of Queensland to vote whether or not they want me to continue doing this.”
