‘Rank hypocrisy’: Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Australia Post board appointment slammed

Annastacia Palaszczuk’s new role with Australia Post has been lashed as “rank hypocrisy” and an appointment for one of Labor’s “mates”.

Annastacia Palaszczuk’s latest move into Australia Post has been slammed as an example of “rank hypocrisy” and a job for mates ploy.

The former Queensland premier has been appointed to the Australia Post board as a non-executive director.

The term is expected to last three years.

Ms Palaszczuk is expected to be paid $107,180, according to the most recent Remuneration Tribunal Determination.

The move follows her retirement from politics in December last year after she served as state premier between 2015 and 2023.

Opposition communications spokesman David Coleman criticised the move, claiming the federal government has appointed “one of its Labor mates” with a “poor record in public administration”.

“This is just rank hypocrisy, writ-large, made worse by the fact that the Albanese government has appointed a failed and unpopular former Queensland premier,” he said.

Annastacia Palaszczuk has been appointed as a non-executive director to the Australia Post board. Picture: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

“Australia Post is going through a significant reform process in an era of change and the last thing the board needs is for the government to appoint one of its Labor mates whose poor record in public administration speaks for itself.”

Opposition finance spokeswoman Jane Hume has called on Finance Minister Katy Gallagher to release the findings of the review into public sector board appointments.

“This review was provided to the government over a year ago, and it still has not been published,” she said.

“If the Albanese government was really committed to transparency, Minister Gallagher would release the review and explain why she has sat on it for over a year.”

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland earlier said Ms Palaszczuk would bring a “wealth of experience in service delivery to regional and rural communities” to the board following on from Tony Nutt, who completed two terms as a non-executive director.

“Australia Post’s modernisation is critical to ensure it can invest to remain sustainable and continue to deliver for Australian communities over the longer term,” Ms Rowland said.

“Ms Palaszczuk’s appointment ensures a strong and diverse board to support Australia Post on its modernisation journey.

“Our government is committed to ensuring that Australia Post remains an integral institution for all Australians.”

Ms Palaszczuk announced her retirement from politics in December last year. Picture: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Ms Gallagher congratulated Ms Palaszczuk on the new role.

“I congratulate Ms Palaszczuk on her appointment to the Australia Post board. She brings a wealth of experience to the role, which will help Australia Post modernise and meet the changing needs of consumers,” she said.

“Hundreds of thousands of Australians rely on Australia Post services every day and we are committed to making sure it keeps delivering for consumers.”

Ms Palaszczuk announced her retirement from politics in December last year, with the former premier revealing she began thinking about leaving politics while on holiday with her partner last September.

“Everyone deserves a break,” she said while announcing her retirement.

“Finally, my mind was made up at national cabinet last week when I saw so many new faces.

“Renewal is a good thing.”

She had led a then-seven seat opposition to defeat Campbell Newman in 2015 after Labor served just one term in opposition before winning the next three elections.

“When I led this party from an opposition of just seven members, I said that the first election will be like climbing Mt Everest,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“I went on to climb that mountain twice more (in 2017, and 2020).

“I don’t need to do it again.”

She was the first woman leader in Australia to be re-elected.

Ms Palaszczuk succeeded her father, Henry, in the western Brisbane seat of Inala in 2006.

Originally published as ‘Rank hypocrisy’: Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Australia Post board appointment slammed