Qld asset sales to be independent: Newman QUEENSLAND Premier Campbell Newman says decisions about asset sales will be made by independent public servants, irrespective of any potential benefits for companies linked to former federal treasurer Peter Costello's lobbying firm. Mr Costello headed the Commission of Audit which last week recommended selling the state's electricity and port assets and outsourcing services, such as correctional services and health, to pay down debt. The state's Crime and Misconduct Commission has received a complaint that highlights a potential conflict of interest between Mr Costello's job overseeing the future of the state's finances, and his co-ownership of lobby group Epstein Costello Gazard (ECG) Advisory Solutions, Fairfax reports. The complaint alleges ECG clients SP AusNet, Primary Health Care, IT company ASG and Serco could all benefit if Mr Costello's recommended reforms are adopted. Mr Newman was repeatedly asked on Thursday if he could rule out any company represented by Mr Costello gaining contracts for any potential outsourced service. "I'm not going to do that, that's ridiculous," he said. Neither could he rule out any company benefiting from any potential asset sale. "Any tender process, on any decision we may make, will be made by independent public servants," he said. Mr Newman defended the independence of the report and says the allegations are a vicious slur on the auditors' independence. ECG denied the allegations and said it concluded business with SP AusNet in November 2012, with Primary Health Care in September 2012 and with ASG in January this year. Serco is still on the books of ESG but is represented in Queensland by another firm. Although all contracts were current when Mr Costello was appointed auditor in March 2012, ECG insists no lobbying took place. "These were really discrete, targeted projects that had nothing to do with the audit," ECG director David Gazard told AAP. When the work concluded they were off the books. "Let me make it abundantly clear, his full details, including his involvement with ECG was released on the day of his appointment," Mr Nicholls said. Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan says the allegation are extremely concerning. "Queenslanders will be rightly disgusted if it emerges there are even more sinister motives for Mr Costello's recommendations," Mr Swan said.