Departing Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission Chair, Alan MacSporran – who offered his resignation from the role on Tuesday – says he was urged by many people to continue on as Chair of the anti-corruption body.
“Many people have urged me to continue in this important role, despite the recent finding contained in the report of the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee (PCCC),” he said in a statement.
“However, I find myself in a position where, despite a career spanning in excess of 40 years, where my honesty and integrity have never been questioned, it is clear to me that the relationship between myself and the PCCC has broken down irretrievably. This saddens me deeply.”
President of the Local Government Association of Queensland and Sunshine Coast Council Mayor, Mark Jamieson, welcomed Mr MacSporran’s decision to resign.
“This is the appropriate – albeit overdue – course of action for Mr MacSporran to take and is an important first step on the road to rebuilding public confidence in the CCC,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“We look forward to the State Government’s response to the recommendations of the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Commission’s report, tabled in December, which we hope will be supported and implemented in full,” he said.
Mr MacSporran said that in his long career he had “never, ever, let extraneous irrelevant considerations enter my thinking about a decision relating to the proper exercising of powers in proceedings as a Queen’s Counsel criminal barrister or as CCC Chairperson”.
He said investigating corruption and major crime was “inherently complex”.
“Those who are the subject of allegations and subsequent investigations can be persons with a high public profile. They frequently hold positions of power and the consequences of charges, let alone conviction, can be particularly grave. I understand this, as do all CCC officers. However, the Queensland community rightly expects the CCC to do its statutory job, and that ultimately involves making very complex, tough and independent decisions as an investigative agency. As Chairperson, I was willing to make, and support my staff making, those independent decisions.”
“The CCC routinely does great work, much of which cannot be spoken about publicly. It assists the QPS solve complex crimes, protects the vulnerable to give evidence safely in court, forfeits the profits of criminals and investigates allegations of public sector corruption. Its staff are hardworking and dedicated professionals.
“The role of Chairperson is challenging, and I will always consider myself to have been exceptionally privileged to have led it for the time I have.
“The CCC is greater than the sum of its parts and I wish the agency every success in the future while it continues its essential role of combating major crime and reducing corruption for the benefit of all Queenslander.”
His resignation will be effective from close of business on Friday 28 January 2022.