Qld politics: Govt’s extravagant spending laid bare

A minister tasked with driving “responsible expenditure” paid $67,000 to renovate her office, amid other examples of largesse laid bare in Right to Information documents.

Premier David Crisafulli this week. Picture: Steve Pohlner

A minister tasked with driving “responsible expenditure” billed taxpayers $67,000 to install a new frosted glass door, a new kitchen, and a mega-boardroom in her government office.

The eye-watering spending was exposed in a 909-page Right to Information document provided to the Opposition about the requests of new LNP ministers and their staff moving in to 1 William St.

Two ministers billed taxpayers a combined $4604 for 12 office stools, which were criticised for poor workmanship when they arrived.

There was also a $3455 quote for to restock ministerial offices with 216 knives, forks, dessert spoons and teaspoons following several complaints about a lack of cutlery.

Ms Bates – who as finance minister is charged by Premier David Crisafulli to drive “responsible expenditure” across the government – pushed ahead with a $67,000 renovation of an office at level 39 of 1 William St.

Emails revealed government bureaucrats were discussing on November 27 “possible options” for Ms Bates’s office.

The first short-term option, they said, included a three-way swap of ministers that would move Ms Bates down to level 35.

Option two, however, included a major renovation of level 39 to create a tea point, small kitchen, frosting on the minister’s glass, a new door and the creation of an office for her chief of staff – at a cost of $31,500. Additionally, the conversion of two meeting rooms into “one large board room” cost an extra $36,000.

Some of the extravagances in the splurge

The RTI revealed part of the work to build a “small tea point” and associated security works was planned under the former government but it was put on hold due to the October state election.

After the election the work progressed and Ms Bates’ office additionally requested her glass be frosted.

Ms Bates said the former government’s office was unworkable.

“Despite not having an office door, Labor still found a way to shut out foreign investment in Queensland,” she said.

“A functional office does help with fixing the mess Labor left behind.”

Ms Bates’s office said some exorbitant quotes were not accepted, but did not specify for what work.

Opposition Leader Steven Miles criticised the office refurbishment.

“Now I know these offices pretty well... I don’t think they needed any refurbishment at all,” he said.

“Ros Bates is already known as the minister for petty cash and stationery, but now she’ll be known as the minister for status and office refurbishments.”

Mr Miles said Ms Bates could have saved taxpayers thousands by moving from level 39 to 35.

“It’s also $70,000 so that she doesn’t have to share an office with Jarrod Bleijie, $30,000 of this is so she can put in a locked door that Jarrod Bleijie can’t get through, that is what is really going on here,” he said.

Taxpayers also paid $4604.16 for 12 black and natural ash stools for the offices of Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett and Health Minister Tim Nicholls.

The stools were chosen due to the likeness to the building’s original fit out, but the workmanship was criticised on their arrival.

Mr Crisafulli selected two Indigenous artworks to hang in his office on loan from the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art.

Minister Ros Bates

Emails reveal the office paid an $1800 fee to hang Zane Saunders’ Lovers Story and Lisa Michl’s Nundah for two years.

Mr Crisafulli and Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie also requested two televisions each, totalling $10,000.

Sport Minister Tim Mander requested a television for the main area of his office.

Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber’s office requested a quote for a television to be installed because it was required to watch Parliament.

A quote was issued totalling $5631 for the television – at $144.75 per month over 39 months – while the installation of associated cabling cost $2700.

It was rejected due to the cost.

Treasurer David Janetzki’s office asked building managers for a toaster and cutting board for the staff kitchen. They were informed toasters were banned in the building as they set off the fire alarm.

The RTI also reveals a litany of work requests from ministerial offices to building managers. Temperature problems plagued the Premier’s level 40 office and that of his chief of staff Richard Ferrett.

“We need to find a solution to ensure the office is cooling by a reasonable time in the morning … at 7am this morning it was still hot,” one email from a public servant said.

It prompted bureaucrats to turn on the airconditioning at 4am “to see if it makes a difference”, explore the use of dehumidifiers and a thermometer to be placed “near COS office to track the (temperature) changes”.

However Housing Minister Sam O’Connor’s office lodged a complaint about it being “very cold ... and particularly in the minister’s room”.

Mr Nicholls’ office advised building managers there were “a lot of dirty dishes in their office” and asked if “we can send a cleaner with a trolley to assist”.

Originally published as Qld politics: Govt’s extravagant spending laid bare