Looks like Palaszczuk is only making out their government is getting tough on all this, even the CCC not happy.Qld conflict bill criticised by all sides
A move by the Queensland government to keep ministers from using their jobs to their own advantage has been criticised for watering down the seriousness of misconduct.
The government's proposed conflict of interest law was meant to increase the obligations on ministers to avoid conflicts of interest and is due to get a hearing in state parliament next month.
That came after an integrity crisis that haunted the state government for months last year and is set to continue.
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad did not declare the purchase of a $695,000 Brisbane home near the major rail project she was overseeing at the time.
The Crime and Corruption Commission stopped short of calling an investigation into the matter, but it did recommend changes to the way conflicts of interest are dealt with.
That would include criminal penalties if ministers fail to declare such conflicts and don't update their register of interests.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at the time said her government would endorse all suggestions, but what it has delivered has been slammed by the CCC.
If passed, ministers who fail to disclose a conflict of interest to cabinet or fail to maintain their register of interests, will face up to two years in prison - but only if their intent is proven.
In a submission to the committee considering the Bill, the CCC stated that the bill overlaps with more serious offences that already exist and essentially requires proof of the same elements, but with a substantially lower penalty.
Chair Alan MacSporran says the Bill could water down the seriousness of conduct, while the Liberal National Party says it falls short of the standard that was clearly set out.
Ms Trad was last year referred by Speaker Curtis Pitt to parliament's ethics committee over the house which sparked a saga, meaning the issue has not yet gone away.
