The resignation of Integrity Commissioner Dr Nikola Stepanov and the Head of the Crime and Corruption Commission, Alan MacSporran, has led to pressure mounting on the State government to call for an independent inquiry.

Today former State archivist Mike Summerell has backed calls for an independent inquiry into the integrity issues within the Palaszczuk government, stating that ‘the need to refresh all of the integrity legislation is long overdue.’ 

Professor AJ Brown, leader of the Centre for Governance & Public Policy’s public integrity and anti-corruption research program at Griffith University, spoke to 4BC Drive host Scott Emerson to explain the reality behind the integrity calls.

“Australia, as a whole, is not doing as well as it traditionally has internationally on corruption,” he told Scott Emerson.

“Just this week Transparency International’s global Corruption Perceptions Index came out, and Australia (had) fallen to 18th place, when we used to be 7th in the world for anti-corruption.”

Dr Nikola Stepanov said that there should be work done to make these integrity institutions as strong as possible as part of the review.

“It’s a very good idea if we can do a review which makes sure that we actually implement some changes in response to those types of recommendations and not just assume that everything is okay.”

Press PLAY to hear more of AJ Brown speaking on 4BC Drive