George Street Beat: Qld politics news and gossip
Nearly a decade of being surrounded by advisers, drivers and general support staff has come to an abrupt halt for the defeated Labor MPs, as former premier Steven Miles found out. THIS IS GEORGE ST BEAT
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Spare a thought for the former Labor frontbenchers who now have to re-enter society as politicians that have to navigate the wide world by themselves.
Nearly a decade of being surrounded by advisers, drivers and general support staff has come to an abrupt halt.
Former Premier Steven Miles for example suddenly found himself battling technology as he swapped phones but couldn’t get his large contact book to sync over – meaning the new Opposition Leader had no idea who was trying to get in touch as he was bombarded with phone calls.
There were also recently ousted Ministers who suddenly found themselves navigating the streets of southeast Queensland on their own as others realised they couldn’t push journalists on to media advisers as they had none.
MPS BLOW UP OVER SNUB
Some defeated Labor MPs are privately fuming outgoing premier Steven Miles didn’t reach out for three days.
Apparently, the tale goes, Labor’s former Keppel MP Brittany Lauga was aghast at the lack of support for her and her colleagues, she raised it with the former premier.
It added pain to a Labor Party so used to governing, now finding itself out.
Bundaberg’s LNP candidate Bree Watson – who you’d bet your house on overcoming Labor MP Tom Smith’s nine votes to win – apparently hasn’t called Mr Smith to concede.
In Maryborough, its nine-year MP Bruce Saunders has gone to ground and even deleted his politician Facebook account.
We get it. After working for years only to be rejected by your community would be heartbreaking.
GSB sends well wishes to all now forced to update their resume.
LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE
SPOTTED SWEARING
LNP MPs have not graced the swearing-in room at Government House for more than a decade, so one would assume it would be standing room only in the 150-person space.
But it turns out there is ample room when you don’t need to squeeze in two-dozen union powerbrokers and their right hands into a swearing-in ceremony.
With at least 20 empty spots, GSB was invited inside to witness history.
Joining us in the crowd were David Crisafulli’s parents Karen and Tony, along with the new Premier’s wife Tegan and their two daughters.
LNP president and party elder Lawrence Springborg, as well as LNP secretary Ben Riley were in attendance.
The newly-sworn in Ministers also had their nearest and dearest in the room, including Women’s Minister Fiona Simpson’s sister Helen, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington’s husband Jason and Environment Minister Andrew Powell’s wife and children.
Treasurer David Janetzki was having a day he may never forget as he was sworn in to the Ministry – while his young son napped in the audience.
DAVID, ARE YOU OKAY?
Speaking of exhaustion, someone needs to check on the welfare of acting top bureaucrat David Mackie, who certainly looked worse for wear at the swearing in of the LNP ministry.
Mackie is filling in as Acting Director-General for the Department of Premier and Cabinet after his predecessor Mike Kaiser was summarily bundled out with the Labor government.
It’s uncertain when Mr Mackie was last able to sleep, considering the frenetic pace with which Premier David Crisafulli and his deputy Jarrod Bleijie have worked since Sunday morning.
He was seen leaving 1 William St just before 6am but was back in the building within the hour.
At the swearing in Mr Mackie looked exhausted enough to have fallen asleep on a bed of hot coals if allowed.
EVEN MORE TIRED
Perhaps nobody is more tired than the Greens (possibly) only MP left standing, Michael Berkman.
In an email to supporters on Sunday Mr Berkman said counting was still close and he would be back at work before concluding: “In hope, John”.
A quick correction was issued.
“This is a little embarrassing – you might’ve noticed my last email signed off with the wrong name,” he wrote.
“I won’t lie – it’s been (a) few long days of work for my team and me and we’re all a bit tired.”
YOU’RE FIRED
It was the end of the road for top bureaucrats across the Queensland public service on Friday, as the LNP cleared out the ranks of anyone with a skerrick of Labor-alignment on their resume.
And it’s understood the late afternoon of the long knives involved Directors-General being handed a white envelope with a letter informing them of their termination.
Department of Justice and Attorney-General Jasmina Joldic, who once worked for Paul Lucas in the Beattie-Bligh era, was the first cab off the rank.
Gone quickly too were Health boss Michael Walsh and Under Treasurer Michael Carey.
Tourism Director-General Andrew Hopper – who moved to Queensland from the Northern Territory – was also swiftly dispatched.
In his place the LNP has installed Tourism and Events Queensland boss and the pride of Mount Isa Patricia O’Callaghan.
Premier David Crisafulli during the election campaign emphatically promised Directors-General of his government would have “absolutely zero” party political links.
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