George Street Beat: Qld politics news and gossip

Brisbane’s new night-life commissioner might be in his 50s, but the minister he’ll deal with is concerned with an altogether different demographic. THIS IS GEORGE STREET BEAT

Night-life commissioner and former Powderfinger member John (J.C.) Collins

It seems the machinery of government shake-up was so extensive it’s even impacted a member of Powderfinger, legend John “J.C.” Collins.

Mr Collins, now a Brisbane venue owner, was appointed Queensland’s first night-life economy commissioner by the former Labor government in late September, tasked with cutting red tape for late-night businesses and ultimately reviving the state’s struggling night-life scene.

When the announcement was made the state government made a point of quoting then-Small Business Minister Lance McCallum and Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch.

But the new minister responsible for reviving Queensland’s flagging after-dark economy is neither the Small Business Minister nor the Arts Minister.

It’s in fact Sam O’Connor, the Minister for Youth. This either implies only young people go out after dark or every night time patron is inherently deemed young.

FLAGGING RECOGNITION

The new state government appears to have done away with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at its 1 William Street press conferences, in a curious move.

Annastacia Palaszczuk and Steven Miles often fronted the media pack 41 floors up in front of four flags: Australian, Queensland, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

Premier David Crisafulli with deputy Jarrod Bleijie and new member for Capalaba Russell Field, with only the Queensland flag behind them. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

However, moments before the LNP’s first press conference in the Newman-built Tower of Power a staffer for the Deputy Premier was spotted wrangling the heavy Australian flag to stand alongside the Queensland one – with no Indigenous representation in sight.

COSTLY DEFEAT

There were a few ashen faces at Labor’s shadow cabinet announcement on Friday.

Already disappointed at losing office, some were former ministers Mark Ryan and Mark Furner, inspired by Mr Miles’ call for renewal, were happy not to be included in his cabinet.

Ex-energy minister Mick de Brenni will become shadow ministry secretary and manager of opposition business.

One of the bigger losers in Labor’s defeat is former Deputy Speaker Joe Kelly, who could lose $70,000 if he takes no other position than a measly committee member.

GSB hears the Right faction MP won’t get the coveted Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee chair, despite being relatively qualified.

Instead, it will go to former Agriculture Minister and friend of the fire ants Mark Furner.

Assistant minister Jennifer Howard was also overlooked in the Right faction in favour of Joan Pease, Corrine McMillan and Linus Power.

Greenslopes MP Joe Kelly. (AAP Image/Josh Woning)

Ms Howard was trampled over as punishment for daring to reveal her intention to challenge Labor’s federal MP for Blair Shayne Neumann ahead of the next election.

Despite affirmative action indicating Mr Neumann would have to make way for a woman before the next poll, Anthony Albanese stepped in to save him – scuttling Ms Howard’s run.

It was for this ambition, in part at least, she was punished.

The lack of renewal in the Old Guard has raised eyebrows within other factions.

“I can’t believe one of them didn’t step down for Jonty Bush,” a Labor source said.

Grace Grace, Di Farmer and Leanne Linard are the Old Guard’s frontbench representatives, despite the young and pragmatic Ms Bush enjoying a swing to her at the October 26 poll.

In Bundaberg, Tom Smith was rewarded for his effort.

LOST BAGS

Life in government is supposed to be easier than opposition, but Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie and his entourage had a rough start on their first intrastate trip.

GSB hears the undisclosed airline struggled to find Mr Bleijie and his staff’s booking to fly from Brisbane to Mackay and then – once they did get on – lost their bags.

RIGHT AT HOME

Apparently Premier David Crisafulli has a soft spot for Gassman Development Perspectives, the engineering and planning group (not a developer as the name suggests) chosen to renovate his new Bulimba home.

Gassman has been donating to the LNP since 2017, and was caught in the 2018 Logan Council scandal for undeclared contributions around a lake development.

Following the ban on property developer donations, Gassman’s support for the LNP did not dry up.

Instead, it was redirected through individual donations by Gassman family members, Brian, Fraser and Mitchell, neatly sidestepping the developer label.

Since 2019, the family members have donated $14,040, including $3,170 last year.

Adding to the intrigue, Gassman’s team met with now-Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie and former shadow housing minister Tim Mander in March – though not as lobbyists.

The quaint mix of construction and political support should make the freshly minted Premier feel right at home in his new digs.