Analysis: New integrity inferno as power station blows up in govt’s face

The LNP is struggling to realise governing is far harder than opposing, writes state political editor Hayden Johnson.

Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki delivers last week’s keynote address. Picture: Dan Peled/NCA NewsWire

• ‘Scapegoats’: Power bosses sacked

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

For four years the LNP and David Crisafulli promised to be different to Labor – to extinguish the “integrity inferno” burning through the Palaszczuk government.

Now with the lever of power in their hand, ministers are struggling to realise governing is far harder than opposing.

This goldfish approach to honesty and transparency is being displayed in the first real test for the infant Crisafulli government – a major explosion at the Callide Power Station on April 4.

What should have been an easy political win over Labor has become a bizarre political own goal.

First, Energy Minister and Treasurer David Janetzki omits any mention of the explosion from a landmark energy speech, in when he spruiks the stability of keeping coal-fired Callide open past its 2028 retirement.

Premier David Crisafulli on Sunday. Picture: Annette Dew

He holds a press conference six days after the incident to concede he should have mentioned it – but only because it was Labor’s fault and that would help him politically.

Mr Janetzki fails on eight occasions to answer the simplest of questions: When was the Premier aware of the explosion?

The Premier’s office also refuses to answer.

On Sunday Mr Crisafulli uses wilful ignorance – or worse – to front the media and claim he still can’t remember when he found out.

By now there are sparks in the integrity tinderbox and at 4pm the government releases the pressure valve.

Mr Janetzki said CS Energy failed to convey the gravity of the explosion and two of its high-ranking bosses are sent packing as punishment.

Why the minister didn’t use his first press conference to reveal he had been misled remains a mystery.