George Street Beat: Qld politics news and gossip
It was slated as the political musical event of the year, and a newly-minted MP has blown her colleagues away after delivering a knockout performance. THIS IS GEORGE STREET BEAT
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It was slated as the political musical event of the year, and newly-minted Rockhampton MP Donna Kirkland delivered.
Ms Kirkland was scheduled to sing the national anthem on day one of the LNP’s 38th State Council meeting in the beef capital on Saturday, with her performance following a rousing prayer by lobbyist and priest Father Daniel Hobbs.
The internet had not coughed up any evidence of Ms Kirkland’s singing repertoire, so while she was said to have a set of pipes a full review could not be conducted until the performance took place.
It has been independently verified that Ms Kirkland can indeed belt out a tune.
Premier David Crisafulli went so far as to describe his Rockhampton MP as having “the voice of an angel”.
Queensland hasn’t seen a politician hit notes like that since Maroochydore MP Fiona Simpson professionally recorded a rendition of Lest We Forget in 2021.
Inside story of CFMEU industry breakfast ‘ruckus’
Two CFMEU true believers on a mission to prove a point caused a ‘ruckus’ at a construction industry breakfast this week, in a move that annoyed organisers.
The union has in turn argued the pair had every right to be there after purchasing tickets to the Queensland Major Contractors Association event, though QMCA chief executive Andrew Chapman strongly disagrees.
It can be revealed the pair, one of whom was identified as CFMEU official Dean Reilly, arrived late to the QMCA breakfast and stood at the back of the room while a panel discussion took place.
They were dressed in crisp formal shirts with the acronym “CFMEU” embroidered on.
Just as the panel wrapped up at 8.50am Mr Reilly yelled out a question about the “CFMEU tax” — in reference to BPICs — but was told by the moderator the panel had concluded.
Mr Reilly was then shot down by Mr Chapman, seated at the front of the room, who return serve with “that’s enough from you, shut up”.
BCEC security was immediately on hand in a bid to usher Mr Reilly out of the room, with personal protection police attached to the Deputy Premier also discretely standing by.
The pair declined to leave, instead staying to watch Jarrod Bleijie’s speech and filming parts of it. They didn’t speak out any further.
Ultimately uniformed Queensland Police officers came to escort the men out.
The union claimed the men had tickets to the event.
“The CFMEU official did not ‘cause a ruckus’ as has been reported. He bought tickets, dressed nicely and tried to ask a question about the ‘CFMEU tax’ lie,” A CFMEU spokesman said.
“It is disappointing that organisers chose to call the cops on an industry stakeholder rather than answer the question.”
Mr Chapman revealed he had spoken personally to CFMEU administrator Travis O’Brien a week before to rescind the CFMEU pairs’ tickets and told him they would not be welcome.
According to Mr Chapman it had been agreed the men would not attend the event but the pair rocked up anyway.
LNP ELECTION REVIEW
The LNP may have won the state election but that doesn’t mean the campaign was flawless, with party President Lawrence Springborg confirming a review led by two party stalwarts has been ordered.
Former long-time Brisbane City Councillor Carol Cashman will lead the charge for the LNP state election review.
Mr Springborg revealed Ms Cashman had been “embedded” in the LNP campaign several weeks before the race kicked off proper, as per the recommendations of the 2020 post-mortem.
She will be assisted by Nationals Party elder Don McDonald.
“Our success has been much greater this time than in 2020 so in successful environments, that indicates that you do a lot more things better than you had previously done before,” Mr Springborg said.
“But that doesn’t mean that you haven’t done things everything as well as you should have done. And so from our perspective, as we always do, there will be a review.”
Submissions will be open for LNP members until February.
Labor has also opened submissions for its requisite review, though who will lead the post-mortem charge has not yet been settled.
STRESSED PRESS
Several journalists and talent were sent on a wild-goose chase to the wrong press conference location on Friday morning – ironically by the office of new Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg.
As the government continued its tirade of the now-suspended Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPIC) policy, a press conference was called at the Centenary Bridge worksite, but changed last minute to a nearby park due to induction requirements.
Problem was, there were two parks with the same name, delaying the press conference further, as some journalists made their way to the correct Amazon Park.
Third time’s a charm!
BLEIJIE BLUNDER
At the same press conference, a perhaps slightly out of sorts Jarrod Bleijie introduced himself as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition.
Maybe the new Deputy Premier is still coming to terms with the significant promotion he just received after the LNP won the election … last month.
US REPUBLICAN TO ADDRESS LNP FAITHFUL
A leading US Republican Party strategist has been called in to address the LNP party faithful in a speech aimed at crafting political branding.
Ron Nehring, the spokesman for Republican presidential nominee Ted Cruz in 2016, addressed the crowd of LNP members at the party’s state council meeting in Rockhampton.
The beef capital was a vast change of scenery for the Republican stalwart from California, with LNP state director Ben Riley revealing on stage Mr Nehring — now the director of international programs at conservative think tank The Leadership Institute-- had flown in for the occasion.
GIRT BY DONNA’S DULCET TONES
It was slated as the political musical event of the year, and newly-minted Rockhampton MP Donna Kirkland delivered.
Ms Kirkland was scheduled to sing the national anthem on day one of the LNP’s 38th State Council meeting in the beef capital on Saturday, with her performance following a rousing prayer by lobbyist and priest Father Daniel Hobbs.
The internet had not coughed up any evidence of Ms Kirkland’s singing repertoire, so while she was said to have a set of pipes a full review could not be conducted until the performance took place.
It has been independently verified that Ms Kirkland can indeed belt out a tune.
Premier David Crisafulli went so far as to describe his Rockhampton MP as having “the voice of an angel”.
Queensland hasn’t seen a politician hit notes like that since Maroochydore MP Fiona Simpson professionally recorded a rendition of Lest We Forget in 2021.
STOKER STUCK
Newly elected Oodgeroo MP Amanda Stoker was late to her first day of school this week.
By that we mean, the required parliamentary introduction with veteran Clerk Neil Laurrie.
GSB heard Ms Stoker was stuck in traffic, arriving fairly late to class.
Not a great look for a former senator, but hey, it’s probably more of a refresher course for her anyway.
MP’s NEW BUNDLE
Congratulations are in order for Southern Downs MP James Lister and his wife Belinda, with the couple welcoming their fourth child on Friday. George Paul Frederick Lister weighed in at 7lbs 8oz (3.5kg), with mum and bub now doing “very well” according to proud new father of four Mr Lister.
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Displaced Qld kids choosing life on the streets over state care
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