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The gifts received by Queensland's ministers revealed

By Felicity Caldwell

A Gucci scarf, shovels, gold lantern from Qatar, robot, $850 knife and a signed photo of the future king of England were among the items bestowed on Queensland's politicians last year.

The items were among presents worth a total of $18,414.60 declared by the Premier, her ministers and the opposition leader last financial year in the Ministerial Gifts Register.

State Development Minister Cameron Dick, Tourism Minister Kate Jones, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace turning the first sod at Queen's Wharf on March 8 with gold shovels.

State Development Minister Cameron Dick, Tourism Minister Kate Jones, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace turning the first sod at Queen's Wharf on March 8 with gold shovels.Credit: AAP Image/ Darren England

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk received seven gifts over the past year, with five forwarded on to the ministerial services branch (MSB).

Ms Palaszczuk elected to display a signed photo of Prince Charles and Camilla with a leather frame, gifted by the Duke and Duchess during their visit to Queensland in April.

She decided to display a framed Australian team blazer, worth $1050, given by Commonwealth Games Australia.

Ms Palaszczuk was also given a $299 bottle of single-malt Taiwanese whisky by the Taipei Economic and Culture Office and a Robi junior robot by Tokyo University, with both gifts handed to the MSB.

Qatar ambassador Nasser Bin Hamad Mubarak Al Khalifa gave State Development Minister Cameron Dick a gold lantern worth $1100 in May, which he decided to display.

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace was given a Chinese New Year Gucci scarf, worth $290, by an Italian delegation of the Ufficio Scolastico Regionale, which she kept.

Star Entertainment Group gave Ms Palaszczuk, Mr Dick, Tourism Minister Kate Jones and Ms Grace each a gold shovel worth $400 a pop at the Queen's Wharf sod-turning in March.

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They all gave their shovels to the MSB.

Rheinmetall, which earlier this year won a $5 billion defence contract, was generous, giving Ms Palaszczuk a Faber Castell pen, jacket and cap and glass paper weight, which were handed over to MSB.

Rheinmetall gave Mr Dick a model of a Boxer tank, which was on display, while Natural Resources Minister Anthony Lynham received a Boker leopard damascus II folding knife, pen and two ornaments, worth $1515.78, which he gave to MSB.

Rheinmetall also gave former Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne, who announced he would not recontest his seat at the November 2017 election leaving the Labor government on a knife-edge, an $850 Boker leopard damascus II folding knife, which was put on display.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad received three gifts, including two pieces of Indigenous art, valued at $500 and $750, which she displayed.

Agricultural Industry Development Minister Mark Furner kept a $250 "little Aussie ringer" teddy bear made by Queensland company Tambo Teddies, which was dressed in a leather hat, with a swag and leather stock whip.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey opted to display a signed Gold Coast light rail stage two commemorative surfboard, valued at $660, given by GoldlinQ in January.

Former treasurer Curtis Pitt, now the Speaker, kept a wooden bowl and Pure Fiji cosmetics pack from Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, and a painting from now Labor MP Kim Richards.

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford displayed a replica vintage brass fireman's helmet given by the United Firefighters Union.

Assistant Tourism Minister Meaghan Scanlon kept a cricket bat worth $240 from Cricket Australia.

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LNP leader Deb Frecklington was given a personalised 2018 Queensland State of Origin jersey by Intrust Super, which she kept, and an Arabian coffee pot trophy worth $1100 by the Qatar ambassador, which she elected to display.

Gifts worth less than $350 may be kept and must be declared.

If they are valued at more than $350, the item must be refused or returned, or if that is inappropriate, given to the MSB, which can either display or auction the gift.

The minister can request these gifts be placed on display in their office or a public building.

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Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/queensland/the-gifts-received-by-queensland-s-ministers-revealed-20181126-p50iea.html