Lobbyist Cameron Milner in 1 William St during election campaign

Lobbyist and respected Labor figure Cameron Milner worked next to government staff in 1 William Street during the state election campaign.

Lobbyist and respected Labor figure Cameron Milner worked next to government staff in 1 William Street during the state election campaign and used a visitor car park.

It follows reports last month that lobbyist and former ALP state secretary Evan Moorhead and Mr Milner helped run strategy for Labor’s campaign.

But Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told the Government’s Estimates Hearing this morning that neither Mr Moorhead or Mr Milner were “in charge” while in the government building following Opposition questioning about whether they had directed government staff.

Cameron Milner is a director at lobbying firm Next Level Strategic Services. Picture: Tara Croser

Department of Premier and Cabinet Director-General Dave Stewart said he didn’t know how the men were engaged when asked whether they were engaged as consultants or contractors.

“In relation to Mr Moorhead, the acting-director general last year wrote to Mr Moorhead reminding him very clearly of his obligations and I have done the same,” he said.

“I’m aware that both those gentlemen were on our floor but I’m not aware of how they were accessing the building.”

It’s understood Mr Moorhead did not work out of 1 William Street during the campaign.

It comes after a government spokesman told The Courier-Mail on November 3 that neither Mr Milner or Mr Moorhead were based in the government building.

Asked whether the lobbyists directed government employees, Mr Stewart said: “I can’t see their names or their company names anywhere on the contract disclosure that we make,” he said.

“So they weren’t employed by the department of Premier and Cabinet in relation to any contracting or consulting services.”

Former Labor politician Evan Moorhead. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Ms Palaszczuk said they weren’t employed by her office.

“My understanding is they were not paid by the taxpayers at any stage during the election campaign,” she said.

The Premier said the men weren’t given access to government resources while in 1 William Street.

“My understanding … Cameron Milner was seated next to a couple of staff members,” she said.

Mr Milner, who is one of Ms Palaszczuk’s former chief strategists and helped guide the Beattie Government to victory in 2001 and 2004, is a director at lobbying firm Next Level Strategic Services.

Mr Moorhead, who is also one of the Premier’s former chief strategists and a former Waterford MP, is a director at lobbying firm Anacta Strategies.

An Anacta spokesperson said Anacta was engaged to provide campaign services to the ALP, and provided those services from Anacta’s Ann St offices.

“Anacta staff did not have a car park or access cards,” the spokesperson said.

“Anacta staff attended 1 William St when requested by the ALP to support a briefing or meeting.”