NEW polling shows 72 per cent of Queenslanders remain concerned that corruption continues to exist within the Queensland government.

The polling comes as the Crime and Misconduct Commission announced yesterday that it would investigate three of eight corruption allegations made in state parliament by former Labor minister Gordon Nuttall.

Following Nuttall’s appearance before the bar of the Parliament, both Rob Messenger, the independent member for Bundaberg, and Peter Wellington (independent Nicklin) called for an inquiry into official corruption.

Galaxy polling done on May 18-19 found that 72 per cent of Queenslanders were not confident following the successful prosecution of Nuttall (for taking bribes from businessmen) that the Bligh Labor Government had now stamped out corruption in the State Government.

Worrying for the government was that 59 per cent of Labor voters also felt that way as did 80% of those who support the LNP. Another 14 per cent of ALP voters remained uncertain.

The government has pointed to the prosecution of Nuttall , a former minister for health, as evidence of its commitment to stamping out corruption and the important role the CMC plays in that process.

Mr Messenger told Parliament anyone who thought corruption ended with Nuttall’s conviction was either a fool or corrupt themselves.

Mr Nuttall’s corruption allegations were tabled in Parliament two weeks ago by independent MP Rob Messenger.

The CMC said yesterdaytues that some of Nuttall’s allegations had already been investigated, while others did not fall within the its jurisdiction.

It would look further, and had started a misconduct investigation, into allegationes "that former premier Peter Beattie inappropriately appointed former minister Bob Gibbs to the position of Trade Commissioner in Los Angeles in contravention of the Electoral Act 1992; "that Premier Anna Bligh inappropriately appointed former premier Peter Beattie to a Trade Commissioner’s position in London, later changing this to Los Angeles, in contravention of the Electoral Act 1992; and "that the direct appointment of a former director-general of Queensland Health in 2005 was inappropriate."

Premier Anna Bligh told Parliament in Mackay yesterdaytues that Mr Beattie was not offered the trade position until eight months after he resigned as premier and he had turned down other job offers.

She said Mr Nuttall had left politics a year before Mr Beattie resigned, and "on that basis alone his allegation is discredited".

Commenting on the Galaxy polling, University of the Sunshine Coast lecturer in politics Bronwyn Stevens said governments that were in power for long periods of time inevitably formed connections with business that voters did not like.

She said when government and business became too close there was perception that the interests of ordinary voters were being overlooked.

The granting of coal seam gas leases where farmers had no right to stop drillers coming on to their land was an example of that.

"The laws there are pretty scary,’’ Ms Stevens said.

However she added voters often hated politicians and did not understand the difficult nature of the job.

"The results are not surprising given the cynical view of politicians in the electorate,’’ Ms Stevens said.

Any royal commission into official corruption in Queensland would need tight terms of reference to give it focus.

Ms Stevens said there were serious concerns as to whether changes to the Act and funding cut backs had left the CMC a toothless tiger with no power or confidence.

It was important that it be a more robust watchdog.

FACT BOX

Galaxy Poll: Are you confident or not confident that following the successful prosecution of Gordon Nuttall the Bligh Labor Government has now stamped out corruption in the State Government?

Confident: total 17 per cent - 27 per cent (ALP voters) – 12 per cent (LNP voters)

Not confident: total 72 per cent - 59 per cent (ALP voters) – 80 per cent (LNP voters)

Uncommitted: total 11 per cent - 14 per cent (ALP voters) – 8 per cent (LNP voters)

The polling was conducted by Galaxy for the Courier Mail.