Qld politics: Stirling Hinchliffe, Mark Bailey land committee roles

Dumped state government ministers have found themselves new parliamentary roles, some landing lucrative committee chair positions.

Former ministers (from left) Craig Crawford, Mark Bailey and Stirling Hinchliffe

• Editor’s view: Magic money tree

Dumped Palaszczuk government ministers Mark Bailey and Stirling Hinchliffe have found themselves new parliamentary roles, with both backbenchers elevated to committee chair positions paying an extra $67,000 per year.

Mr Bailey, the former transport minister, will serve as the chair of the education, employment, training and skills committee, while Mr Hinchliffe, the former tourism and sport minister, has been given the plum ethics committee chair position.

Under the sweeping changes sparked by Annastacia Palaszczuk’s December resignation and subsequent ministerial reshuffle by incoming Premier Steven Miles, Mr Hinchliffe will also serve as deputy chair of the parliamentary crime and corruption committee, while former child safety minister Craig Crawford has joined the health, environment and agriculture committee.

Member for Redlands Kim Richards will become the new clean economy jobs, resources and transport committee chair, while Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari will serve as the community support and services committee chair.

Mr Bailey, who was regularly thrust under the microscope during his six years as transport minister – plagued by the “Mangocube” email scandal and project cost blowouts – stepped down less than a week after Ms Palaszczuk’s resignation amid speculation he would be sacked by incoming premier Steven Miles.

The near-$70,000 promotion will be a welcome boost to both Mr Bailey and Mr Hinchliffe, given the pair copped a 50 per cent cut when losing their ministries, their salaries initially falling from $364,000 to $177,000 per year.

Mr Crawford will receive an additional $26,775 as a committee member.

Former chair of the Ethics Committee Jennifer Howard was replaced after being sworn in as Assistant Minister for Treasury, Trade and Investment.

There was speculation last month, which Mr Bailey denied, that the former minister was gunning for the chair of transport committee chair position left vacant by Shane King, who was elevated to assistant minister for clean economy jobs in December.

But that position was given to Ms Richards under the rebadged committee following concerns raised by insiders about Mr Bailey chairing the budget estimates process into his own former portfolio.

Parliamentary committees are made up of MPs from all sides of the house, but ministers and assistant ministers of the government do not sit on committees.

Backbenchers wanting to be considered for parliamentary committee roles can express an interest in being nominated.

But the decision ultimately rests with the new Leader of the House, Energy Minister Mick de Brenni, in consultation with the government’s leadership team, which would include Mr Miles and Deputy Premier and Treasurer Cameron Dick.