George St Beat: Scott Morrison’s mystery meeting with David Crisafulli that stunned public servants
Queensland public servants did a double take after former Prime Minister Scott Morrison was spotted at the tower of power meeting David Crisafulli. THIS IS GEORGE ST BEAT
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Hardworking public servants stepping into an elevator at the tower of power did double take at the suited man alongside them.
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison was in the building on Monday for a quiet meeting with Queensland Premier David Crisafulli atop 1 William St.
Mr Morrison has kept a relatively low profile since being evicted from office in 2022 but is chipping in as an adviser to strategic firms in the defence, space and, foreign affairs areas.
Mr Crisafulli’s office declined to detail the reason for the meeting, so it’s left GSB to speculate.
He was the PM fist-pumping alongside Annastacia Palaszczuk when Brisbane won the Olympics in 2021, so could Mr Morrison be the new infrastructure authority chair charged with delivering venues?
We had to ponder whether Mr Morrison was visiting Mr Crisafulli in his capacity as a former Prime Minister or former minister for finance, health, treasury, home affairs and industry, science, energy and resources.
GSB will keep its ears up for the announcement of Mr Morrison’s appointment to a cushy government gig.
VETTING THE QUESTION
The Resources Media Club is known for its direct format, giving miners from the top end of town the chance to engage face-to-face with keynote speakers and ask questions via roving microphone.
On Tuesday, the club hosted Treasurer David Janetzki, who has been busy with a series of public appearances across the state and interstate.
However, attendees noted a change in format. Instead of taking questions from the floor, guests were asked to submit their questions via text message, which were then determined and polished by the presenter.
GSB was told this change was insisted on by the Treasurer’s office, but fortunately any text messaging vetting couldn’t prevent GSB’s questions getting through.
Mr Janetzki also mentioned he was curating a Spotify playlist for a 900km road trip between Townsville and Mount Isa next week, following the CopperString transmission line.
The treasurer’s taste means it’s likely the playlist will include plenty of opera and classical piano, though Mr Janetzki may want to download it in advance given the vast area without reception.
TRUE BLUE
GSB broke the news about the government changing the Queensland crest from maroon to blue, but unlike Labor, we won’t go on about it.
We’ve moved on to the next colour scandal.
Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell tipped New South Wales to win all three State of Origin Games this year.
The wrongdoing was uncovered by a GSB spy in Mr Powell’s local rag, Somerset Sentinel News.
Perhaps the first week Mr Powell was just tipping with the bookies – but why did he have such little faith in Billy’s boys bouncing back in game two?
He then seemed to fail to grasp the magic of Tom Deardon and Cam Munster in the decider and still tipped NSW in game three.
Despite his questionable judgement, Mr Powell still leads the paper’s footy tipping competition.
SAD SAM
Apparently feathers are being ruffled in the Department of Housing over one Labor frontbencher’s persistent involvement in housing matters.
GSB heard Shadow Attorney-General and housing spokeswoman Meaghan Scanlon was consistently frustrating the department and Housing Minister Sam O’Connor with persistent visits to government housing sites and free-for-all access to in-the-know community housing providers.
There’s nothing against Ms Scanlon using her ministerial contacts to her advantage.
REGIFTED BY BATES
Finance and Trade Minister Ros Bates has taken a victory lap for backing 35 homegrown businesses through the “Go Global” program, carefully sidestepping the awkward detail that Labor funded most of the same companies she’s now trumpeting.
The media release proudly declares the Crisafulli Government was “cutting red tape” and “delivering outcomes,” unlike Labor, who Ms Bates said were all “glossy brochures and no follow-through.”
GSB ran the numbers and found of the 35 businesses at least 10 had been funded by the former Labor government in previous funding rounds.
If by “cutting red tape” Ms Bates means ripping the Labor logo off the cheque, she’s not wrong.
‘Disaster situation’: Nurses in tears as ED pushed past breaking point
The emergency department at Queensland’s largest hospital was a war zone this week, with scenes staff have never witnessed before.
Millionaire’s alleged teenage killers known to authorities
Two teenagers charged with murdering a Queensland millionaire in a violent break-in have lengthy criminal histories which include recent burglaries, it can be revealed.