Senior public servants under threat if LNP win government
SENIOR public servants with Labor connections have been told they will be the first to go if the Liberal National Party wins government next month.
One top bureaucrat, Queensland Public Trustee Peter Carne, whose ALP ties go back to Goss government days, is believed to be top of the LNP hit list.
Sources said Mr Carne was believed to have been told by a senior LNP figure ". . . you may rest assured that when the LNP takes government on 24 March, your appointment will be the first to be terminated . . ." Mr Carne, former chief executive of the Queensland Law Society and a director of Australia Post, declined to comment last week. Other senior government staff, including at least two directors-general, have also been put on notice by the LNP.
Political observer Griffith University senior lecturer Paul Williams said: "No director-general can expect their job to be safe - and possibly not their deputies."
A furious Anna Bligh slammed the Opposition for jumping the gun. "The LNP's arrogance is growing daily," the Premier said yesterday. "They're drawing up a hit list of who to sack before we've even had an election."
The Sunday Mail understands the LNP has also set up a transition-to-government committee in preparation for a victory in six weeks and a smooth ride into George St.
LNP leader Campbell Newman would not answer questions about who in Government faced the axe if his party won power. "We are not going to be presumptuous about what happens if we win government," Mr Newman said yesterday. "We have got to win this election."
Also in the firing line:
JOHN BRADLEY
Director-General, Dept of Premier & Cabinet
The long-time Labor Party member took over the $540,000-a year role as the state's top bureaucrat last June. Held senior roles working for former Treasurer David Hamill and in energy earlier in his career. Returned from a stint in WA in 2006 to head the Queensland Water Commission and then DG of the Environment and Resource Management Department. Top of the LNP's "least wanted" list.
BRONWEN GRIFFITHS
Associate Director-General, Dept of Premier & Cabinet
Former Labor Party advisor and close friend of Anna Bligh, she attended the premier's secret wedding in in 2005. Described by the LNP as one of Ms Bligh's "favoured few" when she was appointed to the $300,000-plus job last year, she will be looking for a new position if the government changes.
TONY O'CONNELL
Director-General, Queensland Health
Appointed to perhaps the toughest role in the public service last year when Mick Reid quit after three tumultuous years. Opinion divided within the LNP over whether he is well-placed to stay to sort out the mess or should carry a share of the blame and go.
LINDA APELT
Director-General, Communities
Well-regarded by Anna Bligh, she was a given a much-expanded role in the new super-department model. Was tipped to leave before the election and very unlikely to remain under an LNP government.
KELVIN ANDERSON
Director-General, Community Safety
Promoted from Commissioner for Corrections last September, he came to Queensland from the Victorian prisons service. Regarded by many in the LNP as efficient and tough enough to keep this key role in a conservative administration.
JIM REEVES
Director-General, Environment & Natural Resource Management
A former chief-of-staff to Labor Lord Mayor Jim Soorley, he went on to head Brisbane Water. Took his new role, replacing John Bradley, less than a year ago. Almost certain to go.
GREG WITHERS
Assistant Director-General, Department of Environment and Resource Management
The head of the Office of Climate Change is married to Premier Bligh. Enough said.
PHILIP REED
Director-General, Department of Justice & Attorney-General
Appointed to his current job in August 2010 after two years in a senior role in the Department of premier and Cabinet with the Labor Brumby Government in Victoria. The LNP will likely want their own man in a key law and order role.
GERARD BRADLEY
Under Treasurer
It could be a case of deja vu for Mr Bradley. One of the most high-profile casualties of the Borbidge Government hit-list, he spent two years in South Australia before returning after the election of the Beattie-led ALP. Regarded as a good operator by many in the LNP but resentment remains, particularly among National party figures, over his role in scrapping Queensland fuel subsidy.
BOB ATKINSON
Police Commissioner
Due to retire in October, the LNP will be happy for him to serve out his remaining time while they consider his replacement.
______________ | _____________
SENIOR public servants with Labor connections have been told they will be the first to go if the Liberal National Party wins government next month.
One top bureaucrat, Queensland Public Trustee Peter Carne, whose ALP ties go back to Goss government days, is believed to be top of the LNP hit list.
Sources said Mr Carne was believed to have been told by a senior LNP figure ". . . you may rest assured that when the LNP takes government on 24 March, your appointment will be the first to be terminated . . ." Mr Carne, former chief executive of the Queensland Law Society and a director of Australia Post, declined to comment last week. Other senior government staff, including at least two directors-general, have also been put on notice by the LNP.
Political observer Griffith University senior lecturer Paul Williams said: "No director-general can expect their job to be safe - and possibly not their deputies."
The Sunday Mail understands the LNP has also set up a transition-to-government committee in preparation for a victory in six weeks and a smooth ride into George St.
LNP leader Campbell Newman would not answer questions about who in Government faced the axe if his party won power. "We are not going to be presumptuous about what happens if we win government," Mr Newman said yesterday. "We have got to win this election."
Also in the firing line:
JOHN BRADLEY
Director-General, Dept of Premier & Cabinet
The long-time Labor Party member took over the $540,000-a year role as the state's top bureaucrat last June. Held senior roles working for former Treasurer David Hamill and in energy earlier in his career. Returned from a stint in WA in 2006 to head the Queensland Water Commission and then DG of the Environment and Resource Management Department. Top of the LNP's "least wanted" list.
BRONWEN GRIFFITHS
Associate Director-General, Dept of Premier & Cabinet
Former Labor Party advisor and close friend of Anna Bligh, she attended the premier's secret wedding in in 2005. Described by the LNP as one of Ms Bligh's "favoured few" when she was appointed to the $300,000-plus job last year, she will be looking for a new position if the government changes.
TONY O'CONNELL
Director-General, Queensland Health
Appointed to perhaps the toughest role in the public service last year when Mick Reid quit after three tumultuous years. Opinion divided within the LNP over whether he is well-placed to stay to sort out the mess or should carry a share of the blame and go.
LINDA APELT
Director-General, Communities
Well-regarded by Anna Bligh, she was a given a much-expanded role in the new super-department model. Was tipped to leave before the election and very unlikely to remain under an LNP government.
KELVIN ANDERSON
Director-General, Community Safety
Promoted from Commissioner for Corrections last September, he came to Queensland from the Victorian prisons service. Regarded by many in the LNP as efficient and tough enough to keep this key role in a conservative administration.
JIM REEVES
Director-General, Environment & Natural Resource Management
A former chief-of-staff to Labor Lord Mayor Jim Soorley, he went on to head Brisbane Water. Took his new role, replacing John Bradley, less than a year ago. Almost certain to go.
GREG WITHERS
Assistant Director-General, Department of Environment and Resource Management
The head of the Office of Climate Change is married to Premier Bligh. Enough said.
PHILIP REED
Director-General, Department of Justice & Attorney-General
Appointed to his current job in August 2010 after two years in a senior role in the Department of premier and Cabinet with the Labor Brumby Government in Victoria. The LNP will likely want their own man in a key law and order role.
GERARD BRADLEY
Under Treasurer
It could be a case of deja vu for Mr Bradley. One of the most high-profile casualties of the Borbidge Government hit-list, he spent two years in South Australia before returning after the election of the Beattie-led ALP. Regarded as a good operator by many in the LNP but resentment remains, particularly among National party figures, over his role in scrapping Queensland fuel subsidy.
BOB ATKINSON
Police Commissioner
Due to retire in October, the LNP will be happy for him to serve out his remaining time while they consider his replacement.
______________ | _____________
They would need to be careful not to persecute someone on political grounds. If clear they were hired only because of Labor ties then we really need best people. They need to be careful.
ReplyDeleteWell they have to be able to reward their own hacks.
ReplyDelete