Qld budget estimates Thursday: All the highlights

A purported former bikie was hired by a Queensland government agency to provide motivational coaching to public servants within 12 months of being jailed for a violent one-punch attack. 

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie in Budget estimates. Picture: John Gass/NCA NewsWire

A purported former bikie was hired by a Queensland government agency to provide motivational coaching to public servants within 12 months of being jailed for a violent one-punch attack.

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie revealed on Thursday during a fiery estimates hearing at parliament Mathew David Kratiuk had given a presentation to WorkCover Queensland staff.

Mr Kratiuk was sentenced to a term of imprisonment on July 25, 2022, after pleading guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm while intoxicated in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley.

At the time, Magistrate Suzette Coates sentenced Mr Kratiuk to 12 months’ jail with a parole release date of August 24.

Before being convicted, Mr Kratiuk was reported to have left his criminal past behind to become a Vinnies CEO Sleepout ambassador and Cliqued Digital chief executive.

Under interrogation from the Opposition, WorkCover Queensland acting chief executive David Heley was unable to reveal details about the fee charged for the motivational session.

But a WorkCover spokesperson later revealed the government agency did not pay Mr Kratiuk for the presentation.

Instead, a donation of $1000 was made in exchange for the service to a charity Mr Kratiuk's choosing.

“The individual concerned, who is a Vinnies CEO Sleepout Ambassador, was invited to present at an optional staff engagement,” the spokesperson said.

“He was introduced to WorkCover Queensland by a coaching and performance organisation.

Alleged former bikie turned Vinnies CEO Sleepout ambassador Mathew Kratiuk

“Following the presentation, WorkCover made a small, direct charitable donation to St Vincent De Paul Queensland’s charity event supporting homeless people across the country.

“WorkCover was unaware of the court matters raised today and does not condone harmful behaviour of any kind.”

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace, who was the relevant minister during the estimates hearing, told reporters she was unaware of the details of Mr Kratiuk being hired to speak with government employees.

“I am not privy to every single person who works at WorkCover Queensland but obviously I’ll obtain information and provide whatever I can as soon as possible,” she said.

“But, look, I only know what was said in estimates today so it’s very difficult for me to speculate on somebody.”

Mr Kratiuk was sentenced to prison last year after he punched a man after being evicted from a nightclub in Fortitude Valley in the early hours of a March morning.

The victim was admitted to hospital for four days, suffering a frontal contusion and a small subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Following the hearing, Mr Bleijie said “only amongst the chaos and crisis of the Palaszczuk government would they ever think it was a good idea to hire a convicted criminal and former bikie to motivate staff”.

Recap our day-long live estimates coverage below