On Tuesday 23 June in Question Time I asked the Attorney-General about public spending on legal costs for a matter involving a high-profile Queensland man. You can read my question and her answer below, or in the official Parliamentary record of proceedings (Hansard).
Mr BERKMAN: My question is to the Attorney-General. Leading barrister Jonathan Horton KC was briefed by QPS to maintain suppression orders protecting the identity of a high-profile Queensland man, as reported by the Australian. I table that report.
Tabled paper: Article from the Australian, dated 11 June 2026, titled ‘Top Silk Jonathan Horton hired to protect identity of highprofile man in extortion case’.
Did the Attorney-General approve the payment of fees for Mr Horton above the maximum cap, in accordance with the whole-of-government policy for barristers?
Mrs FRECKLINGTON: I thank the member for his question. As the member knows, this is a matter before the courts; it would be highly inappropriate for me as the first law officer and a member of parliament to comment. Important law enforcement agencies like the QPS undertake their operations independently of the minister. They are operational matters for the Police Commissioner. I would not have thought it was unusual for Queensland police to engage silks from time to time, particularly when it relates to victims of domestic violence. Agencies engage counsel as needed at standard government rates. In relation to this matter, my approval has not been sought to pay external counsel above usual rates. This is a matter for the Queensland Police Service.