State government must come clean on Premier’s flight details

Queenslanders expect their leaders to get out of Brisbane and travel regularly through the regions. But they also have a right to know how taxpayer money is being spent, writes the Editor.

David Crisafulli has to use flights to cover his very large beat – but Queenslanders are right to demand transparency. File picture: Jono Searle

Queenslanders expect their leaders to get out of Brisbane and travel regularly through the regions – where still almost half of us live.

Premier David Crisafulli’s office is therefore right to defend his very energetic use of taxpayer-funded private jet air travel, and proudly point out how he “works day and night for all corners of the state, visiting communities”.

As his office said in a statement last night in response to a long list of questions from The Courier-Mail about the fact he is travelling more frequently on taxpayer-funded aircraft that both former premiers Annastacia Palaszczuk and Steven Miles: “Regional Queensland matters.” We could not agree more.

But, we also take a very firm view that Queenslanders have a right to know the details of how taxpayer money is being spent.

And so it would be remiss of us not to point out the Premier’s office totally ignored our request for any detail. We asked for a list of all the places he flew to and when, the total cost of the private jet flights – and how many commercial flights Mr Crisafulli has taken as Premier. We were told absolutely nothing.

Queenslanders – whether in the city or the regions – expect more transparency from their Premier.

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 are available at www.couriermail.com.au/help/contact-us