‘Who’s next?’: Opposition hits back at ‘vindictive’ Labor-aligned sackings

Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick has warned the government’s ability to sack people without reason shows, “clearly anyone can be sacked”.

Cameron Dick, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Photo: Steve Pohlner

The dumping of Labor-aligned executives from Queensland’s worker insurance body was a “vindictive get square act” by the new government according to the Opposition.

Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick also warned the government’s ability to sack people without reason then “clearly anyone can be sacked”.

It comes as the union head booted from WorkCover Queensland lashed out at Acting Premier Jarrod Bleijie’s sackings, and warned the movement would “fight like hell” if worker entitlements are wound back.

More than half a dozen Labor or union-linked executives on government boards have been sacked in a brutal pre-Christmas purge by the state government, with the bloodletting expected to resume in the New Year.

Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie in recent days sacked Dr Anthony Lynham, a former minister under Annastacia Palaszczuk, and Queensland Council of Unions president Jacqueline King from the board of WorkCover Queensland.

It marks the first time in nearly a decade the QCU, as the overarching union body in the state, hasn’t been on the board of the organisation responsible for worker compensation insurance.

Dr Lynham and Ms King have also lost their board positions on Seqwater and CS Energy respectively.

The other Labor-aligned people sacked from boards include Kara Cook (Stanwell), Jenny Hill (PowerLink), Megan O’Hara Sullivan (Energy Queensland), John Hogg (Ports North), Paul Lucas (Energy Queensland).

Dr Anthony Lynham. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Jacqueline King

Maurie Brennan and Teresa Dyson were also taken off the CS Energy and Energy Queensland board respectively, though neither have Labor ties. Ms Dyson has been appointed to boards by the likes of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison and media baron Kerry Stokes.

The government noted board appointments were made on a performance basis but did not outline why Mr Brennan and Ms Dyson were let go.

Mr Dick said the decision to dump board members with Labor-affiliations was a “vindictive get square act by a nasty and angry person”.

Former Townsville mayor Jenny Hill. Picture: ABC

“The question Queenslanders will be asking themselves is, who’s next?” he said.

Dr Lynham will be replaced as the chair of WorkCover by former Queensland Law Society president Chloe Kopilovic, whose area of practice is wills and estates.

Ms King said Queensland Unions will also be watching carefully for any changes the LNP introduce to wind back workers entitlements in the new year.

“If the Deputy Premier wants a fight then he should know we will fight like hell against any wind backs to the scheme that will hurt injured workers,” she said.

The Premier’s office, asked to respond to the Opposition and the QCU, pointed to its previous statement.

“Queenslanders voted for a fresh start and an end to Labor’s chaos and crisis and it’s important that decision is reflected across critical government organisations and the boards that oversee them,” Acting Premier Jarrod Bleijie said.

“Board appointments are made as required, and will be notified and gazetted in the appropriate way.”

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie. Picture: John Gass