Jackie Trad: Former Queensland Deputy Premier’s surprise Gold Coast appointment

More than a year after exiting state parliament, former Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad is back in a surprise new Gold Coast role.

Controversial ex-Deputy Premier Jackie Trad has been added to the board of the Gold Coast’s Home of the Arts in her first significant posting since her shock exit from state politics.

Ms Trad’s appointment is one of two changes to the young board.

She will replace US-based director Fady Hanna who was asked to step down because of travel complications around Covid-19.

Chairman Professor Ned Pankhurst has resigned “out of the blue”. His deputy Kate Brennan will become acting chair until a permanent appointment is made in 2022.

Former Deputy Premier Jackie Trad has been appointed to the board of HOTA. picture Glenn Hampson

It means the board will operate with seven members, instead of eight, for at least the remainder of the year.

Ms Trad resigned as Queensland Deputy Premier before losing her seat at the 2020 election.

Despite a recently completed but still-secret Crime and Corruption Commission investigation into the recruiting of department heads during Ms Trad’s time in power, Mayor Tom Tate said he was excited to welcome Ms Trad to the board.

“I have no concerns about that matter at all,” he said. “I welcome former Deputy Premier Jackie Trad to the board.

“Jackie’s experience, as well as her industry contacts at state and national level, will add to the depth of our existing membership and complement the talented individuals who make up the HOTA board.’’

The Bulletin was told Ms Trad’s appointment was made by acting council CEO Joe McCabe in consultation with Mr Tate.

Ms Trad will serve out the remainder of Mr Hanna’s term until June 30, 2022, at which time she is expected to be appointed to a full four-year term.

It is understood the council hopes to leverage Ms Trad’s corporate governance skills to secure greater support from the state government and galleries and museums from other states.

The appointment has raised eyebrows among councillors who were surprised by the appointment, having not been consulted.

Despite this, councillors hoped Ms Trad would be able to secure more funding for the cultural precinct.

Jackie Trad says she is looking forward to working with Mayor Tom Tate on expanding HOTA. Photo: Richard Gosling

Ms Trad said HOTA was an “incredible” project which had elevated the city’s culture.

“I am honoured to be asked to be a part of it and clearly council wants to keep diversifying the entertainment offerings and build a vibrant cultural heart,” she said.

“It is something I know Tom Tate is passionate about and I hope I can make a valuable contribution to it.”

Ms Trad resigned as Deputy Premier in May 2020 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 Wooloongabba in 2019 which was close to the Cross River Rail project she oversaw as part of her portfolio.

The CCC later declined to investigate Ms Trad, saying there was no evidence of corrupt conduct.

Ms Trad lost her ultra-marginal Brisbane seat to the Greens at the October 2020 election.

Mr Tate thanked Prof Pankhurst for his service and welcomed Ms Brennan’s appointment as acting chairman. Prof Pankhurst was appointed to the board in 2019.

The other remaining directors include Cameron Henry, Thea Jeanes-Cochrane, Airlie Maclachlan, Tracey Vieira and Tracey Woodbry.

HOTA’s board recently came under fire after a cost blowout of more than $500,000 in the contract negotiated to get one of the world’s largest private art exhibitions to the new Gold Coast gallery.

It forced councillors to decide whether to cough up extra costs under Covid to transport the collection, featuring the works of iconic artists Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat or incur a fee by backing out of the contract.

‘Christmas killed’: Beloved Coast tradition scrapped

‘TWAS the fight before Christmas.

The Gold Coast City Council has been accused of being grinches, with city hall scrapping its long-running annual Christmas lights competition.

The event was shelved in 2020 because of Covid and was expected to return this year. But Mayor Tom Tate has confirmed the lights are out for good as council “moves with the times.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate is a big fan of Christmas but said council was “moving with the times”. Picture: David Clark

It’s a decision that has left a collective bad taste in the mouths of families citywide.

Among a sea of deflated Santas and dusty candy canes are upset residents, who are sleigh-riding upon a wave of frustration.

Cr Tate defended the decision, saying there were other avenues in which the event could go ahead.

The Christmas lights has long been populart. Tim Spencer and Chris Turner are both previous winners.

“We have now created a dedicated page on our We Are Gold Coast website to highlight the Christmas spirit of our community,” he said.

“Of course, it wasn’t an easy decision to stop our city Christmas lights competition but we welcome any media network or organisation to take up the challenge.

Mayor Tate said council would still install major light displays at key areas across the city as well as hold a number of Christmas events.

Christmas fan Marlon Pritchard and wife Nessy are feeling as deflated as this Santa over the end of the beloved lights competition. Picture by Richard Gosling

Pacific Pines resident and self-declared “Christmas light fanatic” Marlon Pritchard said the cancellation felt like an “afterthought” on behalf of council.

“It doesn’t make any sense to cancel it and it feels like they (council) don’t have a valid reason,” he said.

The competition gave Gold Coast families a sense of “friendly rivalry” and binning the event would “kill the Christmas spirit,” he said.

“The council-backed competition gave homeowners a golden opportunity to go all out. I’m sure a lot of people including myself are really disappointed.”

Lights competitions of Christmas past: Sue Court, Highland Park

Bryan Keevers of Upper Coomera, who has lit up his home without fail for nearly a decade, said the Mayor ought to know better.

“Mayor Tom Tate has grandkids of his own and should realise how much joy the event brings to children across the Gold Coast.

“Many of us (residents) have endured a stressful two years due to Covid and Christmas time is the one opportunity to let our hair down and enjoy the festivities.”

Mr Keevers has three children of his own and said the lights were a way to “create meaningful memories” for his kids and families in the area.

Originally published as Jackie Trad: Former Queensland Deputy Premier’s surprise Gold Coast appointment