One of Queensland’s most senior bureaucrats has been urged to outline the timeline and scale of his shareholdings in what would be the largest uranium miner in the state if a politically seesawing ban on mining the metal was lifted.
Integrity and anti-corruption figures have warned there is a “strong case” of a conflict of interest risk for Department of State Development director-general John Sosso, meaning he should go beyond just declaring he holds the shares.
“As many details as possible should be given,” barrister and Centre for Public Integrity director Geoffrey Watson SC told Brisbane Times. “The director-general should answer these questions.”
This masthead’s public sector column, Public Circus, last week highlighted Sosso’s shares in Paladin Energy, a Perth-based miner with major operations in the United States.
Sosso first disclosed the shares publicly in November 2024 after being enlisted as department head by Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, the Newman-era attorney-general under whom Sosso also served at that time.
While his declaration of interests form was updated in March 2025, there was no change to the public-facing content of the document. Sosso also holds several other key government roles.
Asked questions through his department about the number of shares he held, when they were first obtained, and how, when – or if – his holding had changed, Sosso refused to answer.
In response, but only as “background” and not attributable to either Sosso or a department spokesperson, this masthead was told staff’s personal finances were private matters.
Transparency International Australia chief Clancy Moore said given the significant state-based interests of the company and Sosso’s corresponding responsibilities, “there is a strong case for a potential, perceived or actual conflict of interest”.
“In these cases, disclosure is the first step, but it’s also important how the conflict – perceived or actual – is managed,” said Moore, head of the global anti-corruption organisation’s Australian arm.
Watson, when asked if he considered dismissal of such questions as “private matters” acceptable, said: “Totally not.”
The corruption-busting lawyer said while it was “sad, but true” that people surrender some privacy by taking on such senior government roles, that is known when you take on the job.
He said the lack of public detail around the timing and scale of Sosso’s shareholding in the company “creates a smell” that could be addressed by answering such questions.
He said in cases where a senior official might have a potential conflict of interest, if current rules don’t require further disclosure, “they should be changed”.
As many details as possible should be given … The director-general should answer these questions.
Geoffrey Watson SC
“It shouldn’t be regarded as private matters, it should be regarded as public,” Watson said.
The LNP government has, as it did during its last term in power before ending the ban, repeatedly said reinstating uranium mining was “not part of our plan”. Any decision to reverse the ban is for the government, not Sosso – though his department could have some role in any work that followed.
In response to questions to Sosso via his department last week, a spokesperson said only that all public sector employees are required to declare any perceived, potential or actual conflicts of interest when they begin in their roles, and “whenever a relevant matter arises”.
“To address declared conflicts, a management plan is developed and mutually agreed upon by the employer [in the case of directors-general, their minister] and employee. This plan outlines strategies to appropriately manage the identified conflicts, which may include assigning delegates to handle matters related to the declared conflicts,” they said.
“The department’s director-general [Sosso] ensures that his declaration of interests and associated management strategies are updated and maintained whenever new or changed circumstances occur.”
Queensland Public Sector Commissioner David Mackie, a deputy director-general under Sosso and Bleijie in the Newman government who – unlike Sosso – remained in the public service throughout the former Labor government’s term, also held Paladin shares.
Until an update in February, Mackie’s previous interest declaration of June 2024 had disclosed shareholding and shares in two other uranium miners – including two others on Sosso’s declaration – Bannerman Resources and Peninsula Energy.
Mackie continues to hold shares in Peninsula Energy, disclosed alongside department directors-general despite him not being required to do so. Neither Bannerman nor Peninsula have interests in Queensland.
“Integrity and transparency in government is an important part of maintaining public confidence,” Mackie said in response to questions from this masthead. “This is why I elected to publish my interests.
“Like many other public servants, I possess some shares in a personal capacity. None of these shares pose any conflict of interest to my role in government.”
But Mackie, again, declined to answer questions about when he first acquired Paladin shares, along with why and when he disposed of them.
Bleijie, through his office, declined to respond to questions, deferring to the department, for which a spokesperson said only: “We have no further response.”
Premier David Crisafulli’s office did not respond to questions.
This masthead suggests no wrongdoing by Sosso, Bleijie, Mackie or Crisafulli, only that questions around Sosso’s public shareholding declarations – in particular – have not been answered, and that some have suggested they should be.
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Matt Dennien is a reporter at Brisbane Times covering state politics and the public service. He has previously worked for newspapers in Tasmania and Brisbane community radio station 4ZZZ. Contact him securely on Signal @mattdennien.15Connect via email.
