Opposition lashes Premier over decision to fly north as flood approached Brisbane

The Opposition has accused Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk of a ‘failure of leadership’ after it emerged she flew north to attend an art gallery opening ahead of the devastating February flood.

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The Opposition has accused the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk of a “failure of leadership” amid revelations she flew on a private plane to attend a museum opening as Queensland braced for the February flooding disaster.

Ministerial register of interests revealed the Premier hopped on a private plane owned by Rockhampton-raised tech entrepreneur Bevan Slattery on Friday, February 25, to attend the opening of the Rockhampton Museum of Art.

Ms Palaszczuk had told parliament the day before boarding the flight that “severe weather continues to pose a serious threat to our state”.

The Premier’s office confirmed to The Courier-Mail Ms Palaszczuk’s attendance at the opening of the $36 million museum had been accepted two weeks before the flight.

But deputy opposition leader Jarrod Bleijie questioned the Premier’s priorities and accused Ms Palaszczuk of fleeing the city ahead of a disaster.

The now infamous “rain bomb” fell on the Sunday and caused mayhem in Southeast Queensland.

“When Queensland was flooding early last year, the Premier accepted a gift from a millionaire to go on his private jet to attend an art soiree,” Mr Bleijie told reporters on Friday morning.

“In the midst of terrible and devastating floods, she accepted a gift from a millionaire, (and) jumped on his private plane sipping champagne.”

Mr Bleijie accused the Premier of fleeing the city. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Mr Bleijie cited media reports from the time with one headline comparing the ferocity of the flooding emergency to being “under a raging Niagara Falls”.

The deputy opposition leader said “everyone was talking about the deluge of rain that was coming”.

“And the Premier then choose (to) accept a gift from a millionaire to jump on his private jet, drink champagne and fly to an art gallery whilst the government at the same time was warning of a deluge and mountains of rain coming to Southeast Queensland.

“It is a failure of leadership.”

A spokesman for the Premier said Ms Palaszczuk “at all times acted on the advice of emergency services,” while also attending meetings to stay informed on weather updates.

“As stated in the Premier’s published diaries,” the spokesman told The Courier-Mail.

“On the Friday, the Premier chaired two weather briefings with relevant ministers and emergency services via teleconference as well as held a separate teleconference with the Emergency Services Minister.“

“The Premier chaired seven weather briefings the Saturday as weather further deteriorated.”

Ms Palaszczuk tours the flood damaged Kedron Brook in early 2022. Picture: Liam Kidston

Acting Premier Steven Miles defended the Premier’s travel to Rockhampton during a press conference in Townsville on Friday, declaring Ms Palaszczuk had travelled north for “important work”, and it was “entirely appropriate” for her to travel via Mr Slattery’s private plane.

“I think it’s very important that we all spend time in the regions, I spend a lot of time travelling the regions, as does the Premier,” he said.

“Her job is busy though, and sometimes to be able to do that, to be present in those communities that we represent, we need to be able to take advantage of the travel options that are available – my understanding is that’s what has happened here.

“It wouldn’t have been possible to both oversee both the disaster response in the south east, while also attending the opening of that very important event through commercial flights.

“So I think it’s entirely appropriate that in order to be in Rockhampton for that important event, she utilised the transport that was available.

Asked whether he had ever accepted a private plane flight, he said “not that I recall”, but I would have to “check my records”.

“But I’ve certainly accepted private transport. There’s been occasions where to get to a location I’ve only been able to use the ferry that is owned by that provider to get to Curtis Island, that kind of thing.

“It’s not unusual for us (politicians) to use what transport is available and to do so in a way that gets us around as efficiently as possible.

“It’s a very big state.”