The Palaszczuk Government’s handling of the failures of Queensland’s Forensic Lab has been disgraceful.
The statements made by Annastacia Palaszczuk today are even worse.
Her blind or unwilling reluctance to acknowledge her government’s inaction is utterly bewildering.
The Premier did not listen to victims.
The Premier did not listen to whistleblowers and experts.
The Premier ignored media reports.
The Premier did not listen to the Opposition who has been raising this with her since last year.
The Health Minister said she saw “no benefit whatsoever” for the Commission of Inquiry, that it was “completely unnecessary” and the Opposition was playing “pure politics”.
How many Queenslanders were denied justice? How many criminals walked free while the Palaszczuk Government refused to listen?
Worse, the Premier’s claims a delayed inquiry was a good thing due to the selected reviewer is at best delusional.
Had the Premier at any point already asked Mr Sofronoff KC about his availability?
At the heart of this is a lack of accountability, a refusal to listen and a denial of justice. This is a complete failure of responsibility and leadership by the Palaszczuk Government.
People must be held accountable, victims deserve nothing less. That accountability starts with the Health Minister and the Attorney-General and rests with the Premier.
Every victim, whistleblower and person who wasn’t listen to by the Palaszczuk Government is owed an apology.
Queenslanders deserve better.
