Newman Makes $600,000 Political Appointment

Media Release.

 

Today the Newman Government has announced another political appointment to a position that earns over $600,000 annually.  

 

Shadow Transport Minister Jackie Trad said the Newman Government had rejected the Queensland Rail board’s preferred candidate and instead appointed Glen Dawe as the organisation’s new CEO.

 

“Yet again the Newman Government has thrown process and probity out the window and made a blatant political appointment,” Ms Trad said.

 

“The government has admitted it overturned the board’s ‘preferences’ for other candidates, meaning Mr Dawe was at least number three on the shortlist of four candidates."

 

“I thought that Campbell Newman had learned a lesson about making political appointments after the Michael Caltabiano debacle, but clearly not."

 

“The board recommended the best qualified person to be CEO, but Campbell Newman ignored their expert advice and just appointed the person he wanted."

 

“Queenslanders cannot have confidence in the new CEO until the government releases all of the material related to the recruitment, selection and appointment of Mr Dawe."

 

“This is a $600,000 a year position with responsibility for keeping millions of passengers a year safe.  Queenslanders need to know that the best person is in the job.”

 

Ms Trad said the fig leaf excuse that the preferred candidate was rejected because they were from overseas is just political spin.

 

“If the Government didn’t want to attract the best and the brightest from across the world then why didn’t they make it clear in the application process,” Ms Trad said.

 

“This is the same government that claims Segways are great because they work overseas, but is refusing to consider high calibre candidates who are not from Australia."

 

“Clearly this is a Government that believes its massive majority entitles them to do whatever they want."

 

“This is more arrogance and jobs for mates from Campbell Newman.”