The Queensland Integrity Regime

Who else has a statutory responsibility in respect of the integrity of the public sector in Queensland?

The Integrity Commissioner is one of a number of individuals and statutory bodies in Queensland, whose role is to maintain and enhance the integrity of the Queensland public sector. Some of the other officers and agencies in this network include:

Auditor General - www.qao.qld.gov.au/
The Ombudsman - www.ombudsman.qld.gov.au
Crime and Misconduct Commission - www.cmc.qld.gov.au/
Children's Services Tribunal (ph: 3239 0746)
Health Rights Commission - www.hrc.qld.gov.au
Anti-Discrimination Commission - www.adcq.qld.gov.au/
Parliamentary Committees - www.parliament.qld.gov.au

Complaints about the conduct of individual public officials

Members of the public wishing to question or raise concerns about maladministration or misconduct by a public official should contact the Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman or a member of his office will examine any complaint and decide whether to investigate the matter further, or refer the issue to another investigative body, such as the police or the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC).

The Ombudsman's contact details are:

Floor 25, 288 Edward Street
Brisbane Qld 4000
Ph: (07) 3005 7000
Fax: (07) 3005 7067
Email: ombudsman@ombudsman.qld.gov.au

Public officials who have reason to believe that another public official has been involved in maladministration or misconduct have a duty under the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994 to report the matter to their supervisor or senior management.

When doing so, officials should consult their agency's procedures on whistleblowing. The Whistleblowers Protection Act 1994 protects public officials who make a disclosure about a matter, which, in their belief, would be contrary to the public interest if it remained hidden.

Complaints about the ethical conduct of Members of Parliament

The Integrity Commissioner is required to provide advice on conflicts of interest involving the Premier, Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries and government backbenchers. The Commissioner does not have the power to investigate an allegation raised by, or provide advice to, a person who is not designated under the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994, including members of the public.

The Members' Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee of the Legislative Assembly has responsibility for the ethical conduct of government and opposition Members of Parliament. This responsibility includes examining the arrangements for the keeping of a register of interests related to a Member and a register of interests of persons related to a Member. The Committee is also responsible for publishing and reviewing the code of ethical conduct for Members.

The committee can be contacted at:

Members' Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee
Parliament House
George Street
Brisbane Qld 4000
Ph: (07) 3406 7167
Fax: (07) 3406 7691
Email: meppc@parliament.qld.gov.au
Website: www.parliament.qld.gov.au