George Street Beat: Queensland politics news and gossip

The hottest ticket in town on Friday night was the farewell for the Premier’s colourful and controversial right-hand man — and the theme of the party shows he hasn’t lost his sense of humour.

DAVID Barbagello drove his vintage red convertible into the sunset this week as he left the employ of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Is this the end of the man who helped make foxtail palms forever famous? Who knows.

David Barbagallo resigns from Annastacia Palaszczuk’s office amid integrity questions

David Barbagallo probe by CCC resumes

David Barbagallo part of Qld Labor landscape for over three decades

Regardless, Barbagello’s two-and-a-half years steering the good ship Labor at 1 William St certainly added another chapter to his somewhat colourful career as a backroom Labor operative.

And the small matter of the ongoing probe into the taxpayer-funded financial handout given to a company he part-owns to develop a cruise ship tracking app has not dimmed his sense of humour.

George Street Beat hears tonight’s farewell is Hawaiian-themed, and those invited (some weren’t) have been told to come bedecked in their best Aloha shirts.

Mahalo.

David Barbagallo has revved off into the sunset.

Out with the old and...

MEANWHILE, Annastacia Palaszczuk was curiously quick finding a replacement for Barbagello.

Taking up the cudgels as chief of staff is deputy director-general of Premier and Cabinet Mark Cridland.

We assume he’s resigned his public service post, rather than leaving it vacant to return to should things go pear-shaped.

It’s the former KPMG director’s first senior gig in a ministerial office.

Asked about what they knew of Cridland this week, one senior Labor figure responded: “Who?”

Dr Stephen Ayre has landed on his feet in Tassie.

Healthy addition to resume

A FEW health debacles back came the sacking of Metro South district boss Stephen Ayre from his $645,000-a-year post.

Dr Ayre got himself a $300,000 payout for his troubles, but he took his matter to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission anyway, where he’s claiming reputational damage as well as loss of income.

However obviously Dr Ayre is a bit of an ace at job interviews, as he’s quickly landed a gig in Tasmania, where he’ll be executive director of medical services.

We’re not sure whether Health Minister Steven Miles provided a reference.

Deb Frecklington hands out chocolate slice to firefighters.

Blackened and browned off

A SLOW clap to Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington for trying to wedge her way into the coverage of Queensland’s fires.

Natural disasters are usually a pitiful time for opposition leaders, as they’re forced to sideline themselves and watch on as incumbents get the chance to parade around victims and appear statesmanlike.

However Frecklington this week managed to make mountain out of the molehill of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk being on an Olympic Games fact-finding mission overseas while her state burned.

And after Palaszczuk did finally ditch her trip early and return to Queensland, Frecklington turned up with a chocolate slice she’d whipped up for the Peregian Beach fire crew.

She might not have much in the way of policies just yet, but Frecklington sure has some chutzpah.

Will any of our political leaders be trackside the day after the election?

Who’ll take poll position

THE Gold Coast 600 is one of the events of the year.

And while there are corporate boxes with way more fun and frivolity than the one packed with politicians and their lackeys, no one generally turns down an invite.

Next year’s race, however, has been postponed a week to avoid a clash with the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

And that means the weekend event will coincide with Queensland’s first fixed-term election date, and the ensuing fallout.

Will it be Palaszczuk or Frecklington celebrating trackside? Or will they both decide to avoid the gratuities of government on the day after the election?