George Street Beat: Qld politics news and gossip
Mick de Brenni has been a notable absence from several recent energy, “clean jobs” announcements and this week’s Smart Energy Council’s Expo. THIS IS GEORGE STREET BEAT
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The long-awaited public reunion between Premier Steven Miles and his predecessor Annastacia Palaszczuk wasn’t to be.
The pair of premiers were listed to share the 9am speaking spot at the Smart Energy Council’s Expo in Brisbane on Tuesday.
While Ms Palaszczuk pleased the crowd with her optimistic offering about the nation’s energy future, her once loyal former deputy premier-turned premier Mr Miles decided instead to welcome delegates with a video message.
It too was optimistic, but warned delegates about what would happen if the state changes course at the state election and goes nuclear.
In a room already sapped of energy – pardon the pun – the premier’s video message fell a little flat – drawing little more than soft applause at the end.
Notably, Mr Miles didn’t mention his predecessor, who introduced many of the energy policies, projects and achievements he rattled off as his own.
WHERE’S DE BRENNI?
A notable absence from the event was Energy Minister Mick de Brenni, who sent his assistant Shane King to speak instead.
His office said he joined Smart Energy for an earlier event.
We hear he and his placard-waving team are working overtime in his Springwood electorate two months from the state election.
Mr de Brenni has been MIA from several big energy and “clean jobs” announcements as of late, including the launch of the Copperstring Experience Centre in Townsville this week and the significant Rio Tinto deal in Gladstone earlier this month.
While he seems to be quietly making announcements through social media posts, including touting the new Port of Brisbane hydrogen fuel station and solar panel recycling initiative, he has shied away from any real face-to-face media opportunities.
A strategic absence? Or could it be that he’s saving all of his energy for October.
DO YOU LIKE IT?
Polling text messages from UComms hit select Queenslanders’ phones last week to get their views on Premier Steven Miles’s plan for cheaper fuel.
The nine-question poll asked respondents whether they supported or opposed the Miles government’s policy to open 12 publicly-owned fuel stations and if they believed the state was heading in the right or wrong direction.
The timing of the polling is interesting, with senior ministers making little mention of the premier’s plan to open taxpayer-funded servos.
BELLE OF CLAYFIELD
It seems the Premier was left out of Labor’s candidate loop this week after he received the surprise news that Irene Henley had been endorsed in Oodgeroo -right in the middle of a press conference.
To make matters slightly worse, the awkward gaffe was made in the heart of Redlands before a team of mayors and MPs who had gathered to spruik the metro expansion.
Asked whether Labor had selected a candidate for Oodgeroo, Premier Steven Miles said, “oh that’s a matter for the party,” unbeknown to the fact that just the night prior, Ms Henley had indeed been picked from the party’s sorting hat.
Realising the blunder, Mr Miles quickly asked Capalaba MP Don Brown to swoop in and save the day - and he did a fine job, while also tentatively explaining Mr Henley ran in the seat in 2020.
Further north, following a months-long struggle, Labor finally has a candidate for the LNP’s blue-ribbon seat of Clayfield – held by former party leader Tim Nicholls.
Young transport and critical minerals policy specialist Belle Brookfield quietly got the nod this week and she’s already received the tired lines from Labor veterans.
Former transport minister Mark Bailey chimed in to back the young renter’s decision to run.
“Tim Nicholls MP has done next to nothing for his electorate for two decades other than sack public servants, cut infrastructure and tried to sell off our power and port assets as Campbell Newman’s Treasurer,” he wrote on Facebook.
“Clayfield needs a new face and a fresh approach … good luck!”
CORRUPTION INTERRUPTION
Alarm bells were literally raised during the Crime and Corruption Committee meeting in parliament on Friday morning.
Just as proceedings were kicking off an announcement filtered through the speakers:
“Good morning this is parliamentary security”.
Luckily, it was just a scheduled test of parliament’s emergency evacuation procedures.
Deputy Chair Stirling Hinchliffe had the foresight to have microphones turned off and the lifestreaming of proceedings paused before the sirens sounded.
But not before we spied the room of MPs chuckling to themselves.
The meeting was only interrupted for a few minutes, enough time for a quick coffee break.
LONGER IS BETTER
Premier Steven Miles insists longer is better.
Weighing in on debate about whether the new Neville Bonner pedestrian bridge spans 335m or 320m, the premier said: “When it comes to bridges, it’s better that they’re longer than you expected … any questions?”
Originally published as George Street Beat: Qld politics news and gossip
Lovell tragedy must spur action
The words of Lee Lovell must resonate with the new Queensland government, writes the editor.
‘I’m broken’: Husband’s heartbreak after Emma Lovell murder case
A broken and emotional Lee Lovell has revealed he fears he let his wife Emma down after a second teen linked to her brutal death was acquitted of her murder.