Senate Qld govt hearings just before poll

Evidence about the Newman government will be heard at a Senate inquiry in the final week of the Queensland election campaign.

A Senate inquiry could derail Queensland Premier Campbell Newman's final week of campaigning in the state election.

In September, the Senate agreed to a Palmer United Party plan for an inquiry into "certain aspects of the Queensland government".

Two public hearings have been scheduled for Bundaberg on January 28 and Gladstone on January 29, just days before Queensland goes to the polls on January 31.

The witness lists for the hearings have not yet been released.

The inquiry has received 82 submissions, ranging from concerns about allegedly dodgy development approvals to union-busting activities.

Coalition senators have described the inquiry as a political witch-hunt.

At its last hearing, the inquiry was told by a former Newman government minister, Chris Davis, the government was no longer "truly transparent, truly accountable and truly honourable" because the state's anti-corruption watchdog had lost its powers and independence.

Dr Davis called for a national anti-corruption body working along the lines of NSW's Independent Commission Against Corruption.

The Australia Institute said in a submission to the inquiry the Newman government had failed to properly undertake cost-benefit analyses for major projects, contradicting its own planning guidelines.

"Serious reform is required within the Queensland government and the Queensland planning system relating to the use and misuse of economic assessment," the submission said.

"Public funds are being wasted and community welfare affected by projects and policies which favour major project proponents interests."

The inquiry will report on March 27.


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Source: AAP


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