A Public Trustee Board is to be established to provide oversight and direction to the Public Trustee of Queensland.
Announcing the measure, Attorney-General, Shannon Fentiman said the new Board was part of the response to a comprehensive report by Public Advocate, Mary Burgess (pictured) that reviewed the Public Trustee’s fees, charges and practices.
“The board will improve the Public Trustee’s performance, transparency and accountability, and enhance public confidence in this valuable service,” Ms Fentiman said.
“An internal review into the Public Trustee’s fees and charges is already under way, including significant changes to its operational systems to ensure better service delivery to the community.”
The Public Trustee provides financial management services to more than 10,000 Queenslanders each year, including more than 9,300 people under an administration appointment by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
“While the Government is respectful of the Public Trustee’s independence, it has a responsibility to ensure the body is open and accountable to community expectations,” the Minister said.
“The Public Advocate’s report found many of the Public Trustee’s customers appear to receive a high level of service for very little or no cost.”
She said the Public Advocate’s report made 32 recommendations, 23 of which were primarily the responsibility of the Public Trustee to implement.
“The Government has now finalised a response to the Public Advocate’s report in which it will accept in principle the majority of the recommendations in the report,” Ms Fentiman said.
