Hunt backs CCC reforms to restore watchdog’s voice

Member for Nicklin Marty Hunt has welcomed new legislation passed by the Queensland Parliament that restores the Crime and Corruption Commission’s (CCC) ability to report publicly on corruption investigations.

Mr Hunt, a member of the Parliamentary CCC Committee, said the laws marked a turning point for transparency and accountability in Queensland.

The Crime and Corruption (Restoring Reporting Powers) Amendment Bill 2025, passed on Wednesday night, delivers on the Crisafulli Government’s election promise to strengthen the state’s anti-corruption framework.

The reforms follow a 2023 High Court ruling which found the CCC lacked authority under existing legislation to publish public reports. That decision forced the removal of previously published investigations from the CCC website, with the former government declining to amend the law.

The new laws will not only allow the CCC to publish reports on current and future investigations, but will also retrospectively validate past reports and statements.

The CCC will now be empowered to make public statements at any time about corruption investigations or complaints, subject to new safeguards and procedural fairness requirements. When releasing information, the CCC must consider criteria such as the seriousness of the matter and the public interest in transparency.

The Bill also allows the CCC to report on corruption risks more broadly, with a view to improving public confidence in Queensland’s integrity system.

Mr Hunt said restoring the CCC’s ability to speak publicly would strengthen public trust. “This Bill restores a key pillar of integrity in our system — accountability through truth,” he said.

Attorney-General Deb Frecklington described the reforms as a critical step in restoring trust. She said the laws would end the era of secrecy under the previous government, which had blocked the release of key CCC reports involving former officials Jackie Trad and Peter Carne.

More information about the new legislation is available via the Queensland Parliament website.

Marty Hunt: “This Bill restores a key pillar of integrity in our system”.