She may have escaped the poisoned chalice of the health portfolio, but Yvette D’Ath faces a new challenge back on her old attorney-general stomping ground.
In a cabinet reshuffle, the Queensland government seeks to address three critical issues: health, housing, and youth justice.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath is set to return to her former role as Attorney General, swapping positions with current AG Shannon Fentiman.
Ms D’Ath had served as Attorney General from 2017 until the state election in 2020, moving to the health portfolio following the re-election of the Palaszczuk government for a third term.
During her previous tenure as the state’s attorney-general, the Member for Redcliffe copped heat over her relationship with the Star Entertainment Group, with it being reported in 2019 that the casino giant pitched in $4000 for Ms D’Ath to host a pre-election fundraiser in 2017.
At the time Ms D’Ath and the government denied there any conflict of interest, although in her role she had ultimate oversight of casinos.
Questions have separately also been raised in the past about Ms D’Ath’s previous decisions to give the green light to boosting poker machine numbers for Star, and granting them permission to be the sole casino operator on the Gold Coast.
While that’s all public knowledge, what is a bit messier now that she is back in the AG’s chair is that Star was in December slapped with a $100m fine and given 12 months to “get their house in order” by Ms D’Ath’s jobs-swap buddy Shannon Fentiman.
Ms Fentiman said at the time that Star was at risk of temporarily losing its casino licences. This all came after a review into its operations last year found extraordinary “major failing” in its operations.
With Ms Fentiman moved to health, the person who will have to make that call on whether Star has cleaned up their act sufficiently will be Ms D’Ath.
We asked whether the perceived conflict of interest was a problem, and Ms D’Ath’s spokesman said: “All integrity measures and cabinet processes will be followed”.
He went on to say that “no event, including one held in 2017, will have any bearing on any decision to do with Star Casino and there have been no adverse findings against the Attorney-General in relation to that matter”.
Well, it’s all fine then. Nothing to see here people.
FENTO ON THE FLY
It was pleasing to see the state’s new health minister Shannon Fentiman celebrate her enthusiastic acceptance of Cabinet’s poisoned chalice by jetting immediately north to visit Gladstone and Mackay on her first full day in the job – to hear from those directly impacted by Queensland Health’s recent failings.
What was less pleasing to hear was that while she had a travelling Brisbane-based journalist along for the ride (on a government plane), local reporters trying to grab time with the Minister were told instead to pass their burning questions on to the travelling journo.
We understand the plans were likely made last minute, but Queenslanders want to see a fresh start in the troubled portfolio – and that includes less spin and PR and more willingness to be open and accountable. It’s not like the plane was going to leave without her.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition Jarrod Bleijie
TURNING BACK TIME
We love it when the politicians make some pop culture references to break up the mundanity of sitting weeks. It’s even better when they get them wrong.
This week, Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie referred to some greatest hits to take a stab at the Premier’s non-reshuffle reshuffle.
“As Bon Jovi sang, the more things change, the more they stay the same. The more things change, the more they stay the same!” – he told parliament, before adding: “As Tina Turner said, ‘Turn back time!’ That is what the Palaszczuk government would have us believe today.”
Um yeah, that would be Cher – and we noticed the Hansard record of the day was later corrected to say so.
Mr Bleijie was adamant neither he nor his office approached the Hansard office to correct the error.
SHIPPING DELAY
The Cairns regional sitting of state parliament this month infamously began with a missing Speaker. This week the sittings almost began with a missing chair – quite literally.
We hear that due to shipping delays the Speaker’s chair did not arrive back in Brisbane until Monday, the day before parliament sat.
IT’S A WINTER POLLIE WAVE
There were a few empty seats in the chamber this week as the winter flu hit that workplace like most others.
Police Minister Mark Ryan probably should have joined Michael Berkman, Jonty Bush, Lachlan Millar and Laura Gerber on the sidelines because on Thursday he got to the end of a speech with barely a whisper.
GAME ON
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has revealed the high-stakes bet she has struck for this year’s traditional State of Origin bet with her NSW counterpart, now Chris Minns.
Should Queensland be victorious in this year’s series, Mr Minns will not only don a Maroons jersey all day but the Queensland flag will also be flown over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Ms Palaszczuk would have to wear a Blues jersey and fly the NSW flag over the Story Bridge. Which of course will never happen. Go the Maroons!
Premiers Annastacia Palaszczuk (Queensland) and Chis Minns (NSW). Picture: Instagram