Matt Dennien

Another curious detail via estimates: the QPAC board had suggested to Arts Dept, after a request for suggestions for names to give the new theatre, that Oodgeroo Noonuccal‘s name “stood out” before Dept/Minister’s decision to put the naming to a public vote of four different options.

Twelve judges resign from literary awards after fellowship sinking Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek has told a parliamentary hearing he would intervene in other awards “if it’s deemed necessary” after the black&write! saga.

Some developments in the black&write! story today:
- 12 of 34 Qld Literary Awards judges resigned after K.A. Ren Wyld’s fellowship was revoked after pressure from Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek
- JPL concedes revocation was “under my direction” & he would intervene again www.brisbanetimes.co...

“People should be looking at the things that [the teachers] write ... in my view this can be seen as modern-day bullying".

‘Modern-day bullying’: Minister asks striking teachers to consider premier’s feelings Presented with a series of placards inspired by classic children’s books, the education minister said he doubted it was an “appropriate” way to deliver concerns to his leader.

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek has asked striking teachers to consider the impact of personal call-outs to politicians on the placards they carried at Wednesday’s rally – via Catherine Strohfeldt www.brisbanetimes.co...

Key Queensland women’s safety oversight role quietly scrapped The role, a central plank of landmark reports into women’s safety, has now been split across two less-transparent bodies.

New: The Independent Implementation Supervisor was a major recommendation of the Hear Her Voice & Richards Inquiry reports meant to keep the public informed of progress on sweeping reforms. The role “ceased” in February, Minister Amanda Camm confirmed to BT y/day. www.brisbanetimes.co...

Resources department paid $187k to industry figure for 25 days’ work The arrangement with Ian Davies, who led a gas producer owned by Gina Rinehart, was revealed during parliamentary estimates – along with a donation to the LNP in his name.

Queensland’s Resources Department paid $187,500 to industry figure Ian Davies for up to 25 days of “strategic analysis” of the state’s north-west mineral region & work related to talks with Swiss mining giant Glencore and Mt Isa. www.brisbanetimes.co...

well LOOK who's here

Catherine Strohfeldt is on the ground for BT as striking state school teachers prepare to march on parliament – follow along in the blog here www.brisbanetimes.co...

Bleijie’s right-hand man the only pick for electoral redraw role A top bureaucrat has been grilled about the one-horse race, while also facing questions about her own political links.

Justice DG Sarah Cruickshank told estimates on Tuesday that a mid-December briefing noted there was “the opportunity” to consider the then Justice DG for the redistribution role, but, ultimately, State Development DG John Sosso was the only person recommended. www.brisbanetimes.co...

two snippets from estimates today: Labor questioning political links of Justice DG, who later confirmed State Development DG John Sosso was the only public sector chief name recommended for the relevant Qld Redistribution Commission position.

that & more in the BT blog: www.brisbanetimes.co...

The LNP promised to change how government is scrutinised. Has it? For more than 40 hours this week, ministers and bureaucrats faced questions from the opposition and crossbench a process under new management for the first time since 2014.

estimates is back on for week 2 of 2 today. here's a couple takeaways from last week www.brisbanetimes.co...

Liberal-linked barrister and top bureaucrat to head Queensland’s CFMEU probe The two men will lead the state’s powerful inquiry into alleged misconduct by the union and its Labor “enablers” – starting today.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has announced Stuart Wood AM, KC, will lead the commission of inquiry into Queensland's CFMEU, with Youth Justice Department director-general & former deputy police commissioner Bob Gee to take leave and fill the role of secretary. www.brisbanetimes.co...

MEAA supports the Palestine Action Group’s bid to March for Humanity across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

meaa.io/4laIpSL

While apologising to members for failing to have a full breakdown of proposed benefits at the time of Tuesday’s joint announcement, Prior also praised the “cordial” talks w govt and stared down questions about his leadership and criticisms the deal did not deliver enough for members.

Police union boss backs deal amid member unrest and government ‘insult’ Frustration has bubbled over after the first in-principle pay deal was welcomed with fanfare by a first-year government facing heat from key frontline workforces.

Shane Prior has described the Crisafulli govt's blanket wage offer as an insult to all frontline workers as he attempts to sell an in-principle deal to frustrated members. www.brisbanetimes.co...

Hundreds visited these drug checking sites, but a review into them will stay secret The pill testing initiative was launched with a promise there would be an independent evaluation after 12 months, but the government is rejecting calls to share those findings.

via Courtney Kruk: "The Loop Australia, the not-for-profit organisation that delivered the service, said a formal Right to Information request lodged in June had been denied on the grounds the evaluation would be considered by cabinet, effectively keeping the findings secret" www.brisbanetimes.co...

one of us One Of Us ONE OF US

Reporter Company Description: Brisbane Times has been a powerful, independent voice in Queensland media since launching in 2007. In joining us you'll play a key role in maintaining our reputation as one of the...

two reporting gigs going at BT (one permanent, one 12-month contract). Come join us 😎 jobs.smartrecruiters.com/Nine/7440000...

From the Deputy Premier today:
• Borrowed Trump slogans (“build, baby, build”)
• Terms of reference (incl some v broad scope) for the CFMEU Commission of Inquiry
www.brisbanetimes.co...

From the Deputy Premier today:
• Borrowed Trump slogans (“build, baby, build”)
• Terms of reference (incl some v broad scope) for the CFMEU Commission of Inquiry
www.brisbanetimes.co...

Have neglected to post today, but we learned a bit via state parliament (in estimates and otherwise). Here’s two snippets from the blog:

1 - www.brisbanetimes.co...
2 - www.brisbanetimes.co...

Kids’ gender-affirming care pause was a cabinet call, says Crisafulli His comments shed light on a key plank of a legal case challenging the ban on hormone treatment for gender dysphoria in new public patients.

Full story here after y/day’s estimates comments from Premier David Crisafulli. LGBTI Legal Service president Ren Shike says the revelation “goes to the heart” of the org’s legal challenge of the decision, described as an “improper exercise of power”. www.brisbanetimes.co...

That’s definitely the point the QNMU made today!

Police win pay deal while other public sector workers wait The nurses’ union has compared the “outrageous” police deal with the way their predominantly female profession has been treated.

Police have reached in-principle agreement w the Crisafulli govt over a new pay deal, praised by both parties on Tuesday, as deals w unions representing other public sector workers appeared further from reach. Story via Courtney Kruk & William Davis (w me & Felicity Caldwell) www.brisbanetimes.co...

Queensland state school teachers set to strike for 24 hours Thousands of teachers, unhappy with the state government’s pay offer, will walk off the job next Wednesday.

lots of workplace news in Qld today, let alone political news, but this is a significant development from the teachers' negotiations – the first strike since 2009 will happen next Wednesday www.brisbanetimes.co...

Brisbane news live: David Crisafulli releases new crime victim numbers | Two meteor showers to light up Brisbane sky | Young man dies in six-vehicle crash Follow today’s live coverage of news from Brisbane and beyond.

More here: www.brisbanetimes.co...

pt of Crisafulli's response under line of estimates Qs by Michael Berkman re any discussion about a ban on new gender-affirming care for kids in a meeting w Health dept DG (w power to make direction) one week before announcement: was "a decision taken by cabinet".

Brisbane news live: David Crisafulli releases new victim crime numbers, but it omits other theft | Two meteor showers to light up Brisbane sky | Young man dies in six-vehicle crash | Crisafulli in hot seat for budget estimates Follow today’s live coverage of news from Brisbane and beyond.

Crisafulli is in the hot seat for the first time at estimates today. We've got (and will have) some more detail through the blog across the day. www.brisbanetimes.co...

The Qld govt's new crime victim dataset has landed today after David Crisafulli's big election pledge to reduce the total number or resign

The fine print? Victims of “other theft”, ft stealing frm homes, businesses, vehicles & other places (the largest chunk of youth offending) isn't there

Major public sector union launches push for workforce-driven AI use With administrative roles among those thought most at risk from the rise of artificial intelligence, Together is trying to get on the front foot in Queensland.

New: An interesting one from Together. The union & its members – many admin workers in the Qld public sector – will head to looming bargaining rounds proactively seeking not only safeguards against AI, but access to such tools & training to help improve workloads. www.brisbanetimes.co...