George Street Beat: Qld politics news and gossip

It will surely go down in history as the world’s shortest aero commute when Steven Miles took a ride in a jet from one of Melbourne’s airports to the other, while the Health Minister appeared to tie herself knots when grilled – again – on the maternity crisis.

It will surely go down in history as the world’s shortest aero commute when Deputy Premier Steven Miles took a ride with Qantas, hopping from one of Melbourne’s airports to the other.

It is understood the plane, Jetstar’s brand new Airbus A320neo, was booked in to be paraded at the Australian International Airshow at the Avalon Airport.

Rather than fly empty, Jetstar’s parent company Qantas invited a bunch of pollies and other official guests attending the conference to hitch a ride over a handful paddocks, sparing Mr Miles and others the hour-long Uber fare.

As he stepped on the flight, Mr Miles grabbed the opportunity to snap a selfie with federal Labor MP Julian Hill.

“Look who I ran into,” the Deputy Premier posted to social media.

Look who I ran into 👋 pic.twitter.com/etneSPd8tD

— Steven Miles (@StevenJMiles) February 28, 2023

The comments section was aghast with wild accusations of criminal activity as readers declared photos taken on tarmacs are illegal.

But, fear not dear voters, GSB has been advised there is no such law and Mr Miles hasn’t committed a commonwealth criminal offence.

The cheeky selfie did, however, remind us of Mr Hill’s remarkably juicy recent declaration of a gift on his register of interests.

“Two suits (1 black, 1 blue) and 2 x white shirts from Peter Jackson, plus a few bags of nuts and dried figs,” it reads.

“Value unknown.

“Unsolicited gift from a constituent on 23 February 2023 that it became impossible to refuse without causing offence. Mr Hussaini has been requested and has agreed to not bring gifts in the future.”

It’s giving us serious “rushing to pay the dinner bill before the other person can” vibes.

"A few bags of nuts and dried figs … Value unknown."

THE ‘SOFT SCIENCE’ OF A FUNCTIONING DEMOCRACY

Queensland’s parliamentary committee system is supposed to provide “greater accountability” and be “an asset” in a functioning democracy.

But the at times disrespectful and hostile environment of the committee looking into the government’s youth crime legislation this week should send a chill down the spine of every voter.

This included a moment on Tuesday, as the Bar Association of Queensland was providing evidence, when Mermaid Beach MP Ray Stevens inferred criminal barrister James Benjamin may be detached from the reality of the mean streets while “fairly well cloistered” in his office.

Economics and Governance Committee chair Linus Power has a tough gig on his hands. Picture: Brendan Radke

Committee chair Linus Power was seen approaching Mr Benjamin after the sessions, assumedly to apologise on behalf of the group.

George Street Beat spoke to a number of people who appeared before the panel this week who were puzzled as to why the committee seemed combative and questioned if this was normal.

It shouldn’t be.

EVERY MUM, EVERYWHERE, ALL AT ONCE

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath must feel like the maternity crisis is following her everywhere she goes.

After a comparatively quiet parliamentary sitting week where the glare of the spotlight focused on youth crime and police numbers rather than health – for once – the Minister travelled to Toowoomba on Tuesday to turn the sod for a new hospital.

As far as press conferences go, this should have been a straightforward and positive affair.

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath faced a surprised grilling in Toowoomba on Tuesday. Picture: Kevin Farmer

But an ABC reporter was fresh on the ground after relocating from Central Queensland, where the maternity crisis at Gladstone has dominated news thanks to reports in The Courier-Mail.

Ms D’Ath was grilled by the reporter about the lack of access to obstetricians in regional Queensland, particularly Chinchilla, Gladstone and Bundaberg.

In response to a question about Chinchilla, Ms D’Ath appeared to tie herself knots while outlining the confusing stages of birthing services currently available in Gladstone before being interrupted: “sorry, Minister. Is this Chinchilla or Gladstone you’re talking about?”

BROWNE FINANCIAL SKIDMARKS

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk adorned her Akubra and hit the road for a stadium announcement update in Rockhampton.

Browne Park, the home of NRL in Central Queensland, will get a $54 million redevelopment to allow the regional city to host NRL games.

THIS is the stadium Rockhampton has always wanted. @CQCapraspic.twitter.com/C0GABGEb9S

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) March 1, 2023

But the large figure is more than double the original expected cost of $25 million announced ahead of the 2020 election in response to soaring building expenses as well as sewerage issues and broadcast requirements to host professional rugby games.

YOU KNOW MY METHODS, WATSON

Former Queensland Chief Justice Catherine Holmes AC SC has kept with the tradition of the judiciary by retiring and then immediately being whisked away to do some legal heavy lifting at an inquiry.

She is currently at the helm of the Royal Commission into Robodebt, which due to its shoestring budget has been granted a residency at Brisbane’s Pullman Hotel rather than being moved around the country.

This week there was the curious case of an uncontactable witness, with Commissioner Holmes asking a bureaucrat giving evidence if he had any idea where in the world his ex-colleague may be.

The bureaucrat told the Commissioner he believed them to be retired in Tasmania, and only had an “old telephone number”.

Lo and behold by the end of the lunch hour the man had been found.

“Excellent!” we cried. “Elementary,” said she.