Qld politics: Annastacia Palaszczuk extends Rachel Hunter’s DG contract

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has ended speculation over whether a Labor veteran would be tapped to head her department.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (left) with Rachel Hunter

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has reappointed her director-general Rachel Hunter to another three years in the state’s top public service job.

There had been speculation that former Labor MP and State Development Department director-general Mike Kaiser could be tapped to take up the role.

But The Courier-Mail can reveal that Ms Palaszczuk has extended Ms Hunter’s contract for another three years.

Ms Hunter is the first woman in the state’s history to head the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which is the the most senior position in the Queensland public service.

The extension of Ms Hunter’s time in the job will mean she will still hold the position by the time of next year’s October state election.

Mike Kaiser was reportedly in the running for the role.

She was first appointed to the job in 2021 following former director-general Dave Stewart’s departure to become agent-general for Queensland in the UK.

Ms Hunter has held a number of high-profile jobs in the Queensland public service, including under-treasurer during the Covid-19 pandemic as well as Queensland public service commissioner during the Beattie government.

She has also previously been in charge of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, the Department of Education, and the Department of State Development.

When she was appointed Ms Hunter as her director-general in 2021, Ms Palaszczuk said: “Ms Hunter has demonstrated her outstanding leadership capability as under treasurer and continues to shine as one of the best senior leaders in government.”

Last financial year, Ms Hunter earned a total pay packet of $771,000 – well more than any other director-general in the state government.