LNP must release ‘secret’ expert advice

David Crisafulli has his hand-picked expert panel in witness protection to avoid proper scrutiny of his latest wave of ‘adult crime, adult time’ laws.

David Crisafulli, who campaigned on integrity and transparency, has so far refused calls by frontline organisations and the Opposition to release the expert panel’s advice, that he claims shaped the second wave of laws.

He has also not allowed the five-person panel to appear before the committee to answer questions about the Bill.

The fact that this second set of laws was introduced so soon after the first wave is an admission David Crisafulli bungled it the first time.

It’s why it’s so important these laws are scrutinised thoroughly to ensure there are no unintended consequences or omissions – again – and that includes examining the advice given to government.

Queenslanders’ homes are still being broken in, and cars are still being stolen, so how can they expect these laws to reduce crime when they are based off secret advice?

This lack of transparency and due process has prompted the Labor Opposition to join frontline organisations in calling for the advice to be released.

At least 15 stakeholders have called for the advice to be released during the committee’s public hearings including the Victims’ Commissioner who wrote:

“The explanatory notes state ‘The Expert Legal Panel conducted consultation with stakeholders’ without elaboration.

"It has been stated that the Panel have engaged in ‘thorough’ consultations ‘across Queensland with stakeholders and sector service providers, including workers in our youth detention centres, legal professionals and victim support groups'.

"However, no detail about these consultations has been included in the explanatory notes. I can think of no reason why this information could not be shared with the public and, in particular, victims of crime who wish to understand the process.”

While in a hearing on April 28, QCOSS chief executive Aimee McVeigh rightfully questioned why it was not being released.

“We know that the statement of compatibility refers to the Expert Legal Panel advice as the basis for expanding this framework and as evidence that these measures will improve community safety, yet we have not had the benefit of reviewing or considering that advice in order to then provide feedback in relation to the bill.

“We are asking the government to release the advice provided by the Expert Legal Panel.”

And as recent as last week, the Queensland Law Society in response to a question on notice told the Committee:

“… we reiterate our request that the final report of the Expert Legal Panel also be published , so that Queenslanders can understand the rationale for the inclusion of these particular offences in this Bill.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Labor Leader Steven Miles:

“Good governments are open and transparent about their decisions, and I think it’s what Queenslanders expect and deserve.

“The secrecy of David Crisafulli and the LNP government he leads knows no bounds and clearly they left their integrity behind when they packed up for the Tower of Power.

“The fact that the LNP is introducing new laws, only months after their first wave of crime legislation, is an admission they stuffed it up the first time.

“How can Queenslanders trust that he’ll get it right the second time when he’s keeping this expert advice secret, and keeping this hand-picked panel in hiding?”

Quotes attributable to Shadow Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer:

“David Crisafulli’s second wave of adult crime, adult crime laws is simply an admission they got it wrong the first time.

“David Crisafulli claims this expert panel advice helped shape these laws and so for the life of me I can’t understand why he wouldn’t release it, or at the very least allow the panel members to appear before the Committee to answer questions.

“These laws are serious. They can have serious unintended consequences, so serious the basis for the laws should not be shrouded in secrecy.

“Unintended consequences and omissions are why we are here so soon after the first legislation and it’s why we need to ensure the laws are watertight.

“And for that to occur we need all the facts before us.

“David Crisafulli is governing in the dark, when just a few months ago he said his government would let the sun shine in.

Quotes attributable to Shadow Attorney-General Meaghan Scanlon:

“At every step David Crisafulli and the LNP have refused to be open and transparent about their second tranche of adult crime, adult time laws.

“The legal sector, frontline organisations and the Opposition have called for the advice from the hand-picked expert legal panel and yet the LNP continues to keep it secret.

“It’s concerning that Queenslanders are in the dark about this expert advice even though the government claims it helped craft the laws that we are now expected to debate.

“Queenslanders deserve better from their leaders. David Crisafulli should do better.”

ENDS