Substitution of the Government’s Review of the QBCC with a Commission of Inquiry headed by an interstate Supreme Court Judge

Eligibility - Queensland citizens
Principal Petitioner:
Greg Williams
3227 Moggill Road
BELLBOWRIE QLD 4070
Total Signatures - 1071
Sponsoring Member: The Clerk of the Parliament
Posting Date: 3/2/2022
Closing Date: 27/5/2022
Tabled Date: 21/6/2022
Responded By: Hon Mick de Brenni MP
TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

Queensland citizens draws to the attention of the House our deep concern of Queensland’s continued descent of political and public service integrity. We note the current allegations of political intrigue involving the Integrity Commission, State Archivist and the Crime and Corruption Commission. This petition focuses on yet another failed Government agency: the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC). 

The government launched a “review” of the QBCC focusing on “governance”. The terms of reference are inadequate and appear designed to protect the responsible Minister, Hon Mick de Brenni, from scrutiny and conceal from Queensland citizens the ineptitude and damage caused by the QBCC and its officers. We are alarmed by the government’s inadequate terms of reference and the review being headed by a former senior Queensland bureaucrat and property developer. 

The review has major limitations including:

  1. no provisions for adequate financial compensation for aggrieved victims of the QBCC.
  2. no judicial powers.
  3. no powers to investigate allegations of criminal offences by QBCC officers.
  4. no powers to investigate political cronyism and political interference.

We call on the government to immediately cancel its ineffective review and announce a Commission of Inquiry headed by an interstate Supreme Court judge. 

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to take notice of the serious failure by the government to effectively investigate the Queensland Building and Construction Commission.