NEWMAN GOVERNMENT MUST EXPLAIN CHAOS AT QR

Media Release

 

Shadow Transport Minister, Jackie Trad, says the Newman Government needs to fully explain today’s exit and re-entry to government service of two hand-picked senior bureaucrats.

 

“The Newman Government has announced the need to find the fourth Queensland Rail CEO in less than two years,” Ms Trad said.

 

“This senior and pivotal position in government should not be the subject of a game of musical chairs but that’s what it has become under the LNP.

 

“Queenslanders deserve to know why the LNP’s hand-picked CEO Glen Dawe has vacated the CEO’s job just five months after being appointed and after serving as QR board chair.

 

“Mr Dawe was parachuted into the CEO’s job and paid more than $600,000 a year despite being ranked at least third on the preferred list of four candidates by an independent selection panel.

 

“The Newman Government threw proper process out the window and made a blatant political appointment in choosing Mr Dawe when the panel wanted an experienced overseas applicant.

 

“That’s why we deserve to be told why he has now gone and what is the size of any severance package he will receive.”

 

Ms Trad said there were also questions hanging over Mr Dawe’s replacement as Acting CEO of QR, former Queensland Under-Treasurer Helen Gluer.

 

“Ms Gluer left the Under-Treasurer’s job in November 2013 citing personal reasons for leaving government service,” she said.

 

“Now by again accepting a senior government role Ms Gluer has re-focussed attention on why she left Queensland Treasury. Did she depart willingly or was she pushed and if so why, and could the government have accommodated her circumstances late last year through leave arrangements?

 

“As it stands Ms Gluer has returned to government within eight weeks of leaving which naturally raises questions.

 

“Far from being open and accountable the Newman Government is arrogant, secretive and deceptive.

 

“It is time taxpayers were given answers, after all they are the ones footing the bill for the appointment of LNP mates like Glen Dawe and others.

 

“They deserve to know why the Newman Government decisions in the Transport portfolio, including the original appointment of Michael Caltabiano as Director-General, always seem to end in disaster,” Ms Trad said.