Annastacia Palaszczuk strips Jackie Trad of Cross River Rail role

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has stripped Jackie Trad of responsibility for Cross River Rail and named a replacement for the job, while at the same time announcing the resignation of a senior staffer.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in Townsville this week. Picture: Matt Taylor.

Annastacia Palaszczuk has stripped Jackie Trad of responsibility for Cross River Rail for breaching the ministerial and Cabinet handbooks.

The Premier has revealed Kate Jones will take over.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad has been spared an investigation by CCC

Deb Frecklington repeats calls for Jackie Trad to go to backbench

She has also revealed her chief of staff David Barbagallo has tendered his resignation.

He has been dogged by another integrity crisis over a taxpayer-funded handout awarded to a company he co-owns.

Ms Palaszczuk said his resignation was already pending before the crisis broke.

She said she would accept all the recommendations of the CCC.

Ms Palaszczuk described the saga as a long and damaging one.

“Yes I believe it has also had an impact on my government,” she said.

“I have told the Deputy Premier and Treasurer that she will no longer have responsibility for Cross River Rail.

“Because she has breached the ministerial handbook she will not be having that responsibility.

“I want to reassure Queenslanders that everyone on my team will absolutely redouble their efforts.

Annastacia Palaszczuk’s chief-of-staff David Barbagallo has resigned. Picture: Jono Searle/AAP

“The CCC has also made some other recommendations and today I tell Queenslanders I accept all of those recommendations.

“I also want to advise today that my chief-of-staff has tendered his resignation. I want to thank David for the work that he has done in my office. He wanted to go last November and I asked him to remain.

“He advised me in June before any issues were raised that he intended to go by October.

“I also want to put on the public record that by no means he has done anything wrong.”

The CCC is still assessing corrupt conduct allegations raised against Mr Barbagallo over the $267,500 Advance Queensland Business Development fund co-investment awarded to a company he co-owns.

He has denied any wrongdoing.

Mark Cridland, Ms Palaszczuk’s current deputy director-general, has been appointed her new chief of staff.

Originally published as Annastacia Palaszczuk strips Jackie Trad of Cross River Rail role