George Street Beat: Qld politics news and gossip
The LNP’s resounding drubbing of Labor in its heartland has galvanised support for the party, with political donations skyrocketing. THIS IS GEORGE STREET BEAT
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The LNP’s resounding drubbing of Labor in its heartland has galvanised support for the party, with political donations skyrocketing for the Opposition in less than a fortnight.
George Street Beat’s peek at the Electoral Commission of Queensland’s donation disclosure log revealed the LNP collected about $100,000 worth of cash presents since the Ipswich West and Inala by-elections on March 16.
In the same time, Labor received just $15,000, nearly half of which came from the Together union.
The LNP’s largest donor in the second half of March was the Albrecht Family Trust – linked to former Thiess boss and legacy Brisbane businessman Martin Albrecht – which put in $16,500.
But the surge in behind-the-scenes support for the LNP goes beyond hard cash, with an insider saying the by-elections were a “thunder clap” moment for those who weren’t previously convinced of the potential of a change of government.
ACCOUNT PRAISES MILES’S EVERY MOVE
Annastacia “social media is media” Palaszczuk was once accused of having her media spinners hide negative comments on her Facebook and Instagram posts – but we think we’ve spotted something potentially cheekier than that.
Recent posts by Premier Steven Miles have been littered with gushing comments from the same anonymous account – an account which follows no people and has made zero posts.
They have plenty to say about the premier, such as “Steven Miles leads a united team who are getting on with the job. Better results in housing, health, community safety and cost of living speak for themselves” and “Every time I look up Steve Miles is relentlessly focused on cost of living. He says what he does, and does what he says”.
Of course this random account could just be a knockabout Queenslander so inspired by the Premier’s posts that they felt compelled to create an Instagram account to just repeatedly comment with the government’s own talking points.
With Mr Miles demanding his government work hard until the next election, GSB is sure it’s not someone on the taxpayer payroll wasting precious time.
‘BAN’ ON RESOURCES COUNCIL
The war between Treasurer Cameron Dick and Queensland Resources Council over coal royalties shows no sign of ending despite Mr Dick waltzing into its dinner last week and urging the lobby group to admit defeat.
The long-running fight between the treasurer and powerful QRC has resulted in stinging political barbs and a littering of golden egg billboards across the state.
Now GSB can reveal the unease it’s created within the government as bureaucrats walk on eggshells.
A leaked email from Queensland Treasury Corporation – the government’s investment arm – warns staff against engaging with that pesky resources council.
On November 9 an executive assistant within the treasury corporation asks if anyone attending that day’s resources council annual lunch can “let me know asap”.
“There is a current ban in place on attending and we need to make sure that QTC is not in attendance,” her email read.
It prompted QTC client division managing director Stephanie Challen to issue a quick clarification.
“Hi team – I’m not aware of any formal ban but I would like to be made aware of any communication or engagement with QRC,” she responded.
Adding to our curiosity is the fact Ms Challen worked as a policy adviser in Mr Dick’s office between 2020 and 2022.
We also hear all isn’t well within QTC, where workplace culture is less than positive.
Watch this space.
AVOIDING THE SWIMMERS’ PARTY
Grace Grace, the minister tasked with quietly planning Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games was a late no-show to a star-studded fundraiser at the mansion owned by Olympians Mark and Tracy Stockwell.
The who’s who of Brisbane identities gathered at the home last Wednesday to fundraise for Olympians and Paralympians.
Ms Grace, whose government was copping criticism for ignoring an independent review to spend $1.6bn on QSAC, was a late withdrawal from the event.
We heard Premier Steven Miles also did not attend but instead sent a video message.
Mr Miles and Ms Grace days earlier declared a 14,000 seat athletics facility was the best legacy Brisbane could deliver from hosting this once-ever Olympic event.
That might have been a tough sell in the home owned by two of the most decorated Olympic swimmers – who have called for a permanent legacy for swimming from the 2032 Games.
A STIRLING CHOICE
Labor has selected former young Labor president Bisma Asif as its candidate for Sandgate, vacated in October by former minister Stirling Hinchliffe.
Ms Asif has long been touted as the likely replacement for the bayside seat.
She has a background in public policy and worked as a policy adviser for federal Aged Care Minister Anika Wells since2022.
Premier Steven Miles praised the choice and said he simply “can’t wait to get on the campaign trail with her”.
KAP DOWN SOUTH
Here at GSB we love the fresh air independent candidates deliver to Queensland’s political scene – even ones pretending to be independent.
One such is Rhys Bosley, standing against Labor’s Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Leeanne Enoch in Algester.
He lists proud pastimes as hunting pest and game animals, game meat cooking, target
shooting, martial arts and family time.
Fitting then, Mr Bosley reveals he’s a member of Katter’s Australian Party because it has “steadfastly supported the outdoor rights of Queenslanders”.
If he was elected, however, he insists he wouldn’t side with them over the people of Algester.
“The Katter’s are a regional party though so as an urban candidate I am best placed as an independent,” he said.
From Mr Bosley to Assistant Minister Bruce Saunders, it seems like everyone loves the Katters.
MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION
Speaking of the kings of the north, Robbie Katter has delivered a warning to the LNP in the wake of the council elections as he sniffs a soaring hubris among those on the Opposition benches.
Much of the aftermath of super Saturday focused on collapsing support for Labor, punctuated by the shock defeat of Jenny Hill in the Townsville mayoral election.
But Mr Katter’s assessment is the move away from Labor was more revealing of the North’s anger at mainstream political figures and warned Opposition MPs to not start “measuring up the curtains in the ministerial offices”.
“Anyone that knows anything about politics, the only thing for certain they could take out of it is there’s a lot of people shaking their fist at the world and the government,” he said.
“And the million dollar question is, when you’re saying “government”, does that include both major parties?
“Because I don’t even think people differentiate them that much.”
A senior Labor source agreed, pointing to the success of the Jacqui Lambie Network in last weekend’s Tasmania election.
“In some places, people have just got the shits,” the party figure said.
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