Editorial: David Crisafulli must act on Laura Gerber bullying claims

In opposition the Premier was outspoken on alleged ministerial misconduct, in government he is silent, writes the editor.

Youth Justice, Victim Support and Corrective Services Minister Laura Gerber with Premier David Crisafulli

Premier David Crisafulli might well be focused on what he calls the four crises – youth crime, housing, health and cost of living. But a key tenet of his time as opposition leader was integrity in government – and he rightly prosecuted Labor for often treating public servants and ministerial staff with disrespect.

And so we would have expected a more fulsome answer to legitimate questions about the revelations in yesterday’s edition that Corrections Minister Laura Gerber has lost her third chief of staff in just 10 months amid claims she yells at her staffers.

Asked about the serious claims, the Premier dismissed them as gossip: “I’ve got youth crime, I’ve got a housing crisis where people can’t afford to own a home. I’ve got people who desperately want to be able to get surgery. And you think I’m going to focus on a gossip column?”

Rewind three years and he had a very different opinion about such matters – when then Labor premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was, in-mid 2022, forced to respond to findings in the Coaldrake review that her administration had a bullying problem; including a culture of belittling, fear and pressure on employees to alter unfavourable reports and information.

Mr Crisafulli, then opposition leader, said of Ms Palaszczuk: “A leader would step up and say that bullying and intimidation isn’t on and would say ‘I’m accepting responsibility for it’ and apologise for all the people they employ who are directly accountable.”

Now, these claims made against Minister Gerber remain just that: They are, as yet, unsubstantiated.

But the crux of this issue is how she treats ministerial and public servant staff. In opposition, Mr Crisafulli was strong when it came to the need for proper investigation into such matters. He was right to have smashed the Palaszczuk government for the issues the Coaldrake reviewed confirmed relating to how it treated staff. Yet in government he is now silent when it is one of his own who stands accused of the same.

Mr Crisafulli would not say if Minister Gerber had been directed into management training, or if the claims were being investigated.

It is not a good message to be sending to the public service, which he wooed on his first day in office with a promise to not repeat the mistakes of the previous Newman LNP administration.

To hold true to this promise alone he should consider a proper, rather than a glib, response to serious claims being made about one of his ministers. He owes an investigation both to staffers, and to the minister.

BRISBANE STANDS TALL AGAIN

Brisbane will stand at the centre of Australia’s two great football codes over the next fortnight, with both the Lions and Broncos just one win away from the grandest stage of them all.

For the Lions, the challenge is immense but familiar. They must travel to the MCG to face Collingwood for a spot in the AFL grand final.

The Magpies are AFL royalty and in recent years have had it over the Lions, winning four of their past five clashes, including the 2023 grand final.

But the Lions have it all to play for. They are defending premiers on the hunt for back to back flags – a feat that would see them etch their names alongside the great dynasties of the game.

The roar from packed Gabba stands when the Lions are in town is proof that AFL in Queensland has never been stronger.

Now the team must take that passion with it south, and Brisbane fans must dare to dream once more.

Then there are the Broncos, who were triumphant in one of the greatest finals in NRL playoff history on Sunday. Their 94-minute epic against the Canberra Raiders was a statement from a club that under coach Michael Maguire has rediscovered its swagger.

Now, back at Suncorp Stadium, the Broncos await the winner of the Panthers and Bulldogs. With 50,000 fans behind them, they have the chance to march into their second grand final in the space of two years, and perhaps to a long-awaited premiership.

Brisbane is a city that thrives on its sport. On any given weekend the Gabba and Suncorp Stadium stand as cathedrals of passion, filled with families, diehards, and new fans swept up in the excitement.

Rarely have both codes aligned so perfectly, offering Brisbane the chance of another double grand final appearance.

Imagine the scenes if the Lions defend their crown and the Broncos break their premiership drought.

Now is the time for Brisbane to rally. Wear your colours. Pack the stadiums. Fill the pubs. Paint the town maroon, blue and gold.

Our teams are on the march and our city is rocking.

From the Gabba to Suncorp Stadium, this is Brisbane’s time.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here