Older LNP strategists concerned hard working members ignored for government jobs

Older LNP strategists are questioning Premier David Crisafulli’s decision to hire ‘twenty somethings’ for hard working policy positions. Read why

Premier David Crisafulli is being feted like a pop idol as the LNP celebrates its state election victory. The Tower of Power is suddenly welcoming a wave of new young staffers.

But some appointments, in policy positions of twenty somethings, are being questioned.

“I’ve never seen so many people at a state council meeting,” a party insider said on return from the Rockhampton meeting last weekend.

Take a close look at Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, photographed with some new appointees.

“All the disquiet is about if you are not a member of the Young LNP, you won’t get a look in (for a job) in the ministerial offices,” an LNP source said.

An LNP member who “worked his guts out” on the campaign could not crack an office job in at 1 William Street. “I might be over 30, but I’m not over the hill,” he told senior staff.

“All the people who worked their guts out in the party organisation, employed full time to manage the candidates – only two have got jobs in minor offices,” the source said.

“The rest is just ‘bye, bye’. We do this all the time. We cut people off.”

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie at the LNP state council meeting in Rockhampton. He is with some of the government's new policy staffers.

The chief of staffs announced for ministerial offices show mix of some experienced operators, party loyalists and young qualified executives starting their career climb.

Among them are Bianca Stone, who ran in Gaven, in Police Minister Dan Purdie’s office. Career political staffer Karly Abbott, who was a favourite to win preselection in the federal seat of Moncrieff, is Attorney-General Deb Frecklington’s COS.

To be fair, the LNP has chased staffers for media spots in critical portfolios but some experienced operators have rejected those offers.

Another political source told your columnist: “Decisions have to be made about policy officers. If Rockhampton is anything to go by, the party seems to have surrounded themselves predominantly with young people.”

The Premier has written to ministers providing a charter which includes five basic commitments including “to restore safety where you live” and “to reinstate health services when you need them”.

Labor will argue these five-page emails contain mostly “motherhood statements”.

But the deliverables for new Housing Minister Sam O’Connor include “one million new homes by 2044, including an additional 53,500 social and community housing dwellings”.

The Bonney MP must also ensure 10 new or replaced domestic and family violence shelters to provide emergency accommodation. Currumbin MP Laura Gerber, in Youth Justice and Victim Support, has been told “you will be one of four ministers charged with reducing victim of crime numbers in Queensland”.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie and Housing Minister Sam O'Connor at the Gold Coast City Council chambers, announcing the new Government would stop the Arundel Hills development. Pic: Paul Weston.

Ms Gerber must help pass laws to ensure “adult crime, adult time” occurs. She must also manage and plan corrective centre capacity to meet demand.

“He’s (the Premier) riding them hard, their diaries have to be full,” the LNP source says.

It will be a steep learning curve and within 12 months with an ambitious backbench, many party strategists predict at least one minister will likely fall and be replaced.

A remark resonates from a Labor MP on the eve of the election confronted with a complex community decision.

“It’s not easy being in government,” the MP said.

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