Exclusive: Former Deputy Premier Jackie Trad City’s appointed chair of HOTA board on Gold Coast

Former Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad – who resigned in late 2020 - has been given a leading role at a key Gold Coast institution.

A FORMER Queensland Deputy Premier who resigned after losing her seat following a series of controversies has been appointed to a top job at the city’s under-fire arts precinct.

Ex State Labor MP Jackie Trad will chair the Home of the Arts (HOTA) board.

Despite Mayor Tom Tate being a long-term LNP member, and several councillors being Liberals – and on occasions vocal critics of the Palaszczuk government – Mr Tate said he was confident her appointment would be welcomed by councillors and city administration.

Council CEO Tim Baker made the appointment under his administrative authority. It was confirmed by Mr Tate at a media conference at 11.30am on Tuesday.

Jackie Trad when Deputy Premier at the Helensvale light rail station. Picture: Jerad Williams.

Ms Trad, a former treasurer, has been on the board of HOTA since December 2021.

“Her contacts are good in the arts, nationally,” a council source told the Bulletin. “And she’s popular in Labor ranks. She will bring a lot to the position.”

Mr Tate said: “I thank Kate Brennan for her role as acting chair over the past six months, as well as a longstanding board member. Kate will step down from both positions shortly.

“Jackie’s depth of knowledge, as well as her passion for our city and the arts, is exceptional.

“I am confident she will lead the board with vigour as we look to position HOTA as a key arts and cultural precinct, both nationally and internationally. I look forward to seeing what Jackie and the board can achieve in these formative years for HOTA.’’

Annastacia Palaszczuk and Jackie Trad, when in government, at Sea World. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Ms Trad at Southport on Tuesday when meeting with the Mayor thanked him and council for their vote of confidence.

“I’m really excited about making a contribution to the future of HOTA, and also its contribution to the Gold Coast,” Ms Trad said.

She said the Mayor approached her years ago about his vision for the arts precinct, which while exciting, occurred when her Government was to invest in light rail and other transport upgrades.

“I think it’s now time we took it to this next stage HOTA and the master plan is very exciting,” she said.

The appointment is against a backdrop in which major design work is underway for the future stages of HOTA. Critical decisions are to be made about the ageing cinema and theatre building.

At least $29m will be needed for renovations, and up to $295m to replace the ageing arts centre. The $39m asset is making half of its expected profits. The council is providing $17.9m for 2021-22.

Mr Tate said the council was “working with HOTA and its board to maximise opportunities for the precinct”.

He has had to defend council’s position on recent closed door meetings and confidential briefings on HOTA.

The Bulletin last week reported that the council had declined to make public findings from consultants Sharpe Advisory on the management of the arts precinct.

The Gold Coast Arts Centre – it got an overhaul with the HOTA branding.

Suggested next stages and recommendations on whether the booking of acts could be done by a private agency to maximise financial returns were heavily redacted.

“This consultant’s report has significant confidential and commercial-in-confidence information so it is unrealistic that this information could, or should, be released into the public domain,” Mr Tate said.

“Council recently resolved to commence detailed design work for the next stage of HOTA and we remain absolutely committed to a vibrant arts and culture scene.”

Ms Trad lost her South Brisbane seat to the Greens in the 2020 state poll, but has remained in the political spotlight.

Her resignation came after an unrelated CCC investigation into the appointment of a principal in her electorate. She was cleared of wrongdoing.

She also came under fire for her purchase of an investment property in Woolloongabba in 2019 which was close to the Cross River Rail project she oversaw. The CCC declined to investigate Ms Trad, saying there was no evidence of corrupt conduct.

HOTA on the Gold Coast. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and four Labor MPs this month were criticised for blocking the release of how much taxpayers are paying to cover the legal costs of Ms Trad, who was seeking to suppress a CCC report into the appointment of a senior staff member.

Ms Trad had denied wrongdoing.