Reforms could bring secret corruption reports to light

The commission would be allowed to report on politicians accused of corruption even if found not guilty, under another suggested reform.

A veil of secrecy surrounding state corruption reports looks set to be lifted after former chief justice Catherine Holmes made 16 recommendations in her almost 500-page, three month CCC review findings.

"The conclusions I have reached almost certainly will not please all," Ms Holmes said in her report.

"But they set up a workable regime which balances the considerations of human rights protection and the desirability of public sector transparency and accountability."

Ex-judge Catherine Holmes says her conclusions won't please all but will set up a workable regime. (HANDOUT/ROYAL COMMISSION INTO THE ROBODEBT SCHEME)

The Queensland government on Wednesday said it would adopt all recommendations.

The overhaul may lead to the release of high-profile reports that have to date remained confidential, including a probe involving former deputy premier Jackie Trad.

The independent review was launched after a 2023 High Court decision ruled a CCC report on former public trustee Peter Carne was not subject to parliamentary privilege and could not be released.

An appeal was then dismissed, ensuring the CCC was not able to release other reports including one involving Ms Trad.

The former deputy premier was accused of overruling an independent selection panel to ensure her own pick as under-treasurer in 2019, later winning a court battle to keep secret the watchdog's report.

Ms Holmes' review, considered by cabinet on Monday, recommends the commission be able to release reports retrospectively when in the public interest.

"There is logic in saying that the standard of fairness and compatibility with human rights recognised in the recommended changes should also apply retrospectively," Ms Holmes said.

Asked whether the Trad report would now be released, Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath said it would be up to the commission.

"This was not about whether any one report should or shouldn't be released," she told reporters on Wednesday.

"This is about a framework that gets the balance right and ... that we can as much as possible withstand any future legal challenges, so we don't have to go back and keep changing the rules.

"The CCC, once these laws are introduced and passed, will be able to apply that retrospective test and make their own decision about whether those reports fall within that criteria or not."

Ms Holmes also recommended corruption reports on elected officials be made public even if serious conduct was not substantiated.

But they must be in the public interest, factual and contain "no critical commentary or expression of opinion concerning them".

Ms Holmes said releasing reports where there had been no finding of corrupt conduct "cannot ordinarily be justified" but elected officials should form an exception.

Ms D'Ath said the government was already drafting instructions for the parliamentary council to usher the reforms into law as a matter of priority.

Only two parliamentary sittings remain before the October election.

The LNP opposition said the changes made the corruption watchdog "all bark and no bite".

"Under what Labor is proposing, the curtains have been drawn again and the darkness is creeping back into the administration," shadow attorney-general Tim Nicholls said.