It may say something about our public life that it was necessary to go back nearly 40 years to find a significant public figure who enjoys virtually universal public trust.
There can be criticisms of anyone, including Tony Fitzgerald QC, who will now inquire into Queensland’s corruption watchdog, the Crime and Corruption Commission.
But there has never been any doubt about his honest and open intentions and processes.
Less known is his other game changing probe, the one in the early 1990s into land use on K’Gari (Fraser Island), which led to the island’s World Heritage listing and with it, much of the Rainbow Beach tourist ecnomy.
That was the last time island issues were investigated with real independence.
The recent island fires probe criticised government information management, as did Mr Fitzzgerald in his first inquiry.
Let’s revisit the island inquiry too.
