Former MP Les Walker hits back against Labor executive axings

Former Mundingburra MP Les Walker warns Christmas season government axings including former Mayor Jenny Hill’s is likely to be the first among many.

Former long-running politician Les Walker warns of early signs of more board axings to be given by the new State Government. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Recently defeated Mundingburra MP Les Walker has warned the ousting of ex-Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill and other Labor affiliated executives from state entity boards are likely to be only the “first wave” of sackings made by the new LNP led government.

Days before Christmas it was reported that Ms Hill had lost her board role at Powerlink, which oversees the vital $9bn CopperString transmission line to be built between Townsville and Mount Isa.

But she was among more than 10 Labor or union connected executives that lost their roles on state entity roles in favour of people such as former LGAQ chief executive Greg Hallam and Jeff Seeney, who was deputy premier under the LNP led Newman government.

Mundingburra MP Janelle Poole said she agreed with the government’s decision to make these replacements.

“Our community has paid through the nose - whether it’s power bills or crime - for Labor’s mismanagement,” Ms Poole said.

“And this proves how serious the government is about ending Labor’s chaos and crisis and delivering the fresh start we promised.”

Her predecessor Mr Walker, who she defeated in the election in October, said the people placed on boards had valuable knowledge to hold government entities to account.

“What I’m saying (to) the people of Queensland, watch closely on who’s been dropped into these boards,” Mr Walker said.

“Are they there for all the right reasons to make them effective and efficient and getting the right outcomes?

“If it’s just a payback, thank you very much for helping during the campaign, or being a member of the Liberal Party or the National Party, or for whatever the reason, we need to call it for what it is.”

An emotional Jenny Hill after being defeated in the local government election in late March.

While there had been cynicism expressed in the Townsville community over installing party-affiliated politicians into well-paid executive positions, Mr Walker defended the appointments the state government he was a part of had made, saying figures like Ms Hill had vital local knowledge of projects like CopperString.

Mr Walker also called attention to the axing of former Palaszczuk resources minister Anthony Lynham from WorkCover Queensland and Seqwater, who he said was “highly respected” on both sides of politics.

The CopperString transmission line designed to be built between Townsville and Mount Isa.

He would be replaced with former Queensland Law Societ president Chloe Kopilovic.

“He’s a man that introduced the coward punch legislation because he’s a doctor that worked in that field, he went into politics to make sure the legislation has changed around that

“He achieved what he achieved, and he retired gracefully,” Mr Walker said.

“That’s a shame to see that’s a type of person being removed that brings so much value to a board.”

A State Government spokesman was contacted to seek clarity as to why Ms Hill lost her executive position, and whether it was a sign of restructure behind the CopperString project.

But previously Acting Premier Jarrod Bleijie said voters’ decisions to put “an end to Labor’s chaos and crisis” was reflected with those that oversee the important government organisations.

“Board appointments are made as required, and will be notified and gazetted in the appropriate way.”

Originally published as Former MP Les Walker hits back against Labor executive axings