The Palaszczuk Government has upgraded an independent investigation into Queensland Rail (QR) Train Crewing Practices to a Commission of Inquiry so it can secure documents from the former Newman Government and QR.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Executive Council had approved Mr Phillip Strachan, who was appointed to undertake the independent investigation in October, to be a Commissioner with his examination to now be a Commission of Inquiry.
“I said Phillip Strachan needed to get to the bottom of what has happened with the train crewing practices at Queensland Rail,” she said.
Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe wrote to Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls on 1 November to provide copies of all cabinet documents of the Newman Government relating to Queensland Rail operational matters.
“Tim Nicholls was shareholding Minister for Queensland Rail for almost three years. In the public interest, he should release the documents of his Government about Queensland Rail," Mr Hinchliffe said.
Mr Strachan’s powers are extended under the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1950 and be conducted similar to the current Independent Review of Youth Detention.
The Inquiry will cover two sections.