As it happened: Brisbane on Wednesday, July 30
1.47pm Falling inflation points towards interest rate cut
11.21am The Wiggles' Tree of Wisdom to take centre stage in Brisbane
11.16am 'Still come to school': Education Minister promises student safety during teacher strike
11.03am Qld minister under 'conflict management plan' over husband's Queen's Wharf role
10.14am Parents urged to keep their kids home as teachers prepare to strike
10.01am 'It's going, it's ...': Queensland rocket meets fiery end
9.32am Cache of guns, child exploitation material allegedly found in hoarder's den
9.01am Kids who show up at school during strike will be supervised
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Qld minister under 'conflict management plan' over husband's Queen's Wharf role
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The husband of Queensland's Assistant Finance Minister was appointed secretary of the consortium behind Brisbane Queen's Wharf development earlier this year, estimates hearings have revealed.
But Finance Minister Ros Bates has rebuffed questions about any conflict of interest involving her deputy.
Lawyer Adam Stoker – the husband of Assistant Finance Minister Amanda Stoker – was appointed in April as the secretary for two companies: Destination Brisbane Consortium Integrated Resort Holdings Pty Ltd and Destination Brisbane Consortium Integrated Resort Operations Pty Ltd.
The consortium, which comprises the embattled Star Entertainment Group, Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium, is behind the massive Queen's Wharf development fronting the Brisbane River.
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Bates was quizzed during today's budget estimates hearings by shadow treasurer Shannon Fentiman about her role in negotiations around the financial position of Queen's Wharf.
Company extract information from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, tabled by Fentiman, shows Adam Stoker was appointed to the roles on April 28.
Bates repeatedly declined to directly answer whether she knew of the 'huge conflict of interest', but said 'a conflict management plan is in place, and the assistant minister has had no contact [with the companies involved].'
3.22pm
Former MP looks set to keep top development job
By Matt Dennien
Former federal Liberal MP Julian Simmonds will likely be made the permanent chief executive of the Queensland government's property development agency, Economic Development Queensland – without any formal recruitment process.
Simmonds, who sat on Brisbane's LNP city council for nine years before his term as the federal member for Ryan, was given the role in an acting capacity in April after his predecessor Debbie McNamara's resignation.
Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick used much of his time in today's estimates hearings to quiz both Simmonds and State Development Department director-general John Sosso, whose role places him on the EDQ board.
Simmonds said that, while he could not recall the timeline, he approached Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie's chief of staff to express his interest in the role and was told to speak to board chair Brendan O'Farrell.
Sosso, a veteran public servant of LNP governments whose recent appointment to a group responsible for the redistribution of state electorates sparked impartiality concerns from Labor, said O'Farrell then recommended Simmonds for the job, 'satisfied that his skill set and personality would be advantageous to the future success of EDQ'.
Asked whether a national executive recruitment process for the role had begun, Sosso said it had not, and that based on Simmond's current performance and unanimous support of the board, he may be appointed permanently 'without further advertisement' in coming months.
Before Simmonds' appointment to the public agency role, he was the executive director of Australians for Prosperity, which ran attack ads against federal and state Labor governments.
2.05pm
'Build, baby, build': Bleijie apes Trump at estimates hearing
By Matt Dennien
Today's estimates hearings have moved on from Ros Bates to the varied portfolios of Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie.
The minister for state development; infrastructure and planning; and industrial relations is no stranger to performance – both in and outside parliament.
So it was that the staunch monarchist tried his best impression of US President Donald Trump in summing up his introductory comments for the state development portfolio.
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'If I were to sum up the role of the department of state development, it is this: build, baby, build. And we will,' Bleijie said, aping Trump's 'drill, baby, drill' slogan calling for a boost to oil and gas production.
Bleijie used his appearance today to make a range of announcements, declaring the North Harbour site at Burpengary, north of Brisbane, a priority development area, and providing further detail of the looming CFMEU Commission of Inquiry.
Terms of reference for that inquiry have now been finalised, Bleijie said, with the expected 12-month probe to consider evidence of, and allegations around, the 'systemic nature' of misconduct involving the current and former union leadership.
Any involvement of organised crime or other criminal elements will feature, as will irregularities in the union's financial dealings and the impact of any misconduct on the productivity of specific projects, the construction industry in general, and the wider economy.
Falling inflation points towards interest rate cut
By Shane Wright
Lower than expected inflation figures just released points to the Reserve Bank delivering an interest rate cut next month.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics this morning reported that headline inflation was 0.7 per cent in the June quarter, taking the annual rate down to 2.1 per cent. It had been 2.4 per cent in the March quarter.
The important measures of underlying inflation showed a 0.6 per cent increase in the quarter, with the annual rate easing to 2.7 per cent.
The underlying inflation result was the lowest since December 2021.
In announcing a surprise decision not to cut rates earlier this month, Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock noted that these quarterly inflation numbers would be a key factor in determining when home buyers would enjoy further interest rate relief.
12.53pm
Magnitude 8.7 earthquake in Russia sparks tsunami warnings
A powerful magnitude 8.7 earthquake struck off Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, generating a tsunami of up to 4 metres, prompting evacuations and damaging buildings, officials said.
A Russian official said a tsunami with a wave height of between 3m and 4m was recorded in parts of the Kamchatka region.
The Japanese government raised its tsunami alert and issued an emergency warning. It said it expected a tsunami as high as 3m to arrive at large coastal areas along the Pacific Ocean.
The US National Tsunami Warning Centre, based in Alaska, issued a warning for parts of the Alaska Aleutian Islands, and a watch for portions of the West Coast, including California, Oregon, and Washington, and Hawaii. The advisory also includes a vast swath of Alaska's coastline.
12.51pm
Chalmers celebrates 'absolutely outstanding' inflation numbers
By Brittany Busch
Treasurer Jim Chalmers is celebrating the latest inflation figures, which mark the lowest annual inflation rate in four years and mounts pressure on the Reserve Bank to deliver an interest rate cut in the next fortnight.
'These are very pleasing, very welcome, absolutely outstanding inflation numbers when you consider how far Australians have come together in this defining fight against inflation,' he told reporters in Canberra.
'When we came to office, headline inflation was three times higher than what it is in these numbers today.'
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported this morning that headline inflation had fallen from 2.4 per cent in the March quarter to 2.1 per cent in the June quarter.
Chalmers said key metrics of inflation have all come down.
'This is the lowest inflation in almost four years.'
11.21am
The Wiggles' Tree of Wisdom to take centre stage in Brisbane
By Brittney Deguara
Fans of The Wiggles' energetic Tree of Wisdom will be pleased to hear he's headlining a show in Brisbane.
The iconic children's group have announced a new Australian tour at the end of the year, but there's just one Brisbane show on the schedule.
The show celebrates Dominic Field's viral Tree of Wisdom character.
'The Tree of Wisdom started as a bit of fun, but what's blown me away is how much people, young and old, have embraced the character,' said Anthony Field (the blue Wiggle).
The Wiggles' Tree of Wisdom Arena Tour will be taking over the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on December 6, with tickets available via presale from today, and general sale from Friday.
In other Wiggles-related news, the group's chief executive, Kate Chiodo, was recently sent by YouTube to lobby the federal government over its social media ban, after it was announced the video website would be off limits for children under 16 in Australia.
11.16am
'Still come to school': Education Minister promises student safety during teacher strike
By Felicity Caldwell
Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek has promised students who turn up to state schools during next week's teacher strike will be safe and supervised.
It comes as the Queensland Teachers' Union has asked parents to keep their children at home as members go on strike for the first time in 16 years.
There are more than half a million students who attend state primary and high schools in Queensland.
Speaking from Caloundra this morning, Langbroek said the Education Department and principals would make sure there would be adequate supervision for children at schools.
'Your children are our number one priority when it comes to safety,' he said.
And despite the union urging parents to keep their kids at home, the minister says they should go to school.
'Students will be safe, they'll be supervised, and we're encouraging students to still come to school,' Langbroek said.
11.03am
Qld minister under 'conflict management plan' over husband's Queen's Wharf role
By Matt Dennien
The husband of Queensland's Assistant Finance Minister was appointed secretary of the consortium behind Brisbane Queen's Wharf development earlier this year, estimates hearings have revealed.
But Finance Minister Ros Bates has rebuffed questions about any conflict of interest involving her deputy.
Lawyer Adam Stoker – the husband of Assistant Finance Minister Amanda Stoker – was appointed in April as the secretary for two companies: Destination Brisbane Consortium Integrated Resort Holdings Pty Ltd and Destination Brisbane Consortium Integrated Resort Operations Pty Ltd.
The consortium, which comprises the embattled Star Entertainment Group, Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium, is behind the massive Queen's Wharf development fronting the Brisbane River.
Loading
Bates was quizzed during today's budget estimates hearings by shadow treasurer Shannon Fentiman about her role in negotiations around the financial position of Queen's Wharf.
Company extract information from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, tabled by Fentiman, shows Adam Stoker was appointed to the roles on April 28.
Bates repeatedly declined to directly answer whether she knew of the 'huge conflict of interest', but said 'a conflict management plan is in place, and the assistant minister has had no contact [with the companies involved].'
10.14am
Parents urged to keep their kids home as teachers prepare to strike
By Felicity Caldwell
Queensland parents are being encouraged to keep half a million state primary and high school students at home next Wednesday as teachers walk out.
About 95 per cent of Queensland Teachers' Union members voted to walk off the job for 24 hours on Wednesday next week amid negotiations over pay and conditions with the state government.
This morning, the union urged Queenslanders to 'stand with us at this crucial time', arguing schools were critically understaffed and teachers and school leaders were burning out.
'If you have children, please keep them at home on Wednesday,' the union said on social media.
'We do not do this lightly. We have been left with no choice, because education in this state is at breaking point.'
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The union said the government's offer showed little respect for teachers' essential work and would reduce them to some of the lowest paid in Australia.
'The state government's offer, if accepted, would compound an already critical teacher shortage,' the union's statement says.
Yesterday, an Education Department spokeswoman said it was focused on maintaining safe, operational schools and minimising disruption for students and staff.
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"WE should get on the bandwagon" were the words Ibrahim Helmy allegedly used to first lure former Newcastle-based senior projects engineer David Liu into his web of corruption. "Basically it was an indication that we should get in bed with the contractors, inflate the rates, and get cash benefits," Mr Liu said. The conversation started with Mr Liu questioning Mr Helmy, a senior Transport for NSW figure, about the rates of various subcontractors. Mr Liu felt that some of their regular contractors, such as Protection Barriers, were ripping them off and that their prices were too high. Mr Helmy called it a COVID tax, inflation, because "things were getting expensive", Mr Liu said. In later conversations, the tone became more serious and the specifics of the how-to were discussed. During work-related phone calls, Mr Helmy made comments about having "a really safe way" to get cash kickbacks if they wanted to, Mr Liu said. "He said to me can you inflate the rates and I was shocked because I thought how could you ... how could you do that with all the oversight," Mr Liu said. "I didn't think it was feasible. He said 'I have my ways'." It was as simple as changing the rate, for example if the rate was $100 a linear metre, he would change it to $120'. That was one of the ways, he said. Another way was to add "extra services" such as traffic control, and a variety of things into the invoice, Mr Liu said. He was shocked that a procurement officer could do that Mr Liu said, but he also went along with it, and is accused of receiving more than $100,000 in kickbacks. Rob Ranken SC, Counsel Assisting the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in its inquiry into Transport for NSW corruption, asked him why he didn't report it. Mr Liu said he had done some soul searching about that, and part of the explanation was that he felt his career was going nowhere. "I think at that time a senior project position came up and I didn't win it," Mr Liu said. "It's fair to say I didn't do well in the interview. I felt, for whatever it's worth, no matter how good I am, this is it, this is my life forever. That's not an excuse though." Mr Liu said in other conversations with Mr Helmy they discussed in greater depth how the rort would work. "I asked, if you can inflate the rates, why do you need me," Mr Liu said. If he added extra items he needed me to look the other way, he said. Mr Helmy would supply a rate from the contractors on the panel, and then Mr Liu was to say how much money was left in the budget, and they could add that on to the bill and take it for themselves. "Basically he just wanted to add stuff and I just had to sign it when the invoice was issued that those additional items that were provided actually weren't provided," Mr Liu said. The alleged rigging and inflation of contracts by Transport for NSW procurement officer Mr Helmy, who is in hiding, between 2012 and 2024 has come under the microscope of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). ICAC is investigating allegations Mr Helmy was involved in corrupt relationships with companies that were paid at least $343 million in contracts. He is wanted by police and is believed to be in hiding after a failed attempt to leave Australia on a US passport in September. He is the principal - but not only - official involved in the ICAC inquiry. Investigations led to raids in September on the head office of Protection Barriers, one of the state's biggest roadworks companies, headed by Jason Chellew. Mr Ranken said in his opening address that he expected the evidence to show that Mr Liu received between $100,000 and $150,000 from Mr Chellew as part of a hire truck arrangement. "WE should get on the bandwagon" were the words Ibrahim Helmy allegedly used to first lure former Newcastle-based senior projects engineer David Liu into his web of corruption. "Basically it was an indication that we should get in bed with the contractors, inflate the rates, and get cash benefits," Mr Liu said. The conversation started with Mr Liu questioning Mr Helmy, a senior Transport for NSW figure, about the rates of various subcontractors. Mr Liu felt that some of their regular contractors, such as Protection Barriers, were ripping them off and that their prices were too high. Mr Helmy called it a COVID tax, inflation, because "things were getting expensive", Mr Liu said. In later conversations, the tone became more serious and the specifics of the how-to were discussed. During work-related phone calls, Mr Helmy made comments about having "a really safe way" to get cash kickbacks if they wanted to, Mr Liu said. "He said to me can you inflate the rates and I was shocked because I thought how could you ... how could you do that with all the oversight," Mr Liu said. "I didn't think it was feasible. He said 'I have my ways'." It was as simple as changing the rate, for example if the rate was $100 a linear metre, he would change it to $120'. That was one of the ways, he said. Another way was to add "extra services" such as traffic control, and a variety of things into the invoice, Mr Liu said. He was shocked that a procurement officer could do that Mr Liu said, but he also went along with it, and is accused of receiving more than $100,000 in kickbacks. Rob Ranken SC, Counsel Assisting the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in its inquiry into Transport for NSW corruption, asked him why he didn't report it. Mr Liu said he had done some soul searching about that, and part of the explanation was that he felt his career was going nowhere. "I think at that time a senior project position came up and I didn't win it," Mr Liu said. "It's fair to say I didn't do well in the interview. I felt, for whatever it's worth, no matter how good I am, this is it, this is my life forever. That's not an excuse though." Mr Liu said in other conversations with Mr Helmy they discussed in greater depth how the rort would work. "I asked, if you can inflate the rates, why do you need me," Mr Liu said. If he added extra items he needed me to look the other way, he said. Mr Helmy would supply a rate from the contractors on the panel, and then Mr Liu was to say how much money was left in the budget, and they could add that on to the bill and take it for themselves. "Basically he just wanted to add stuff and I just had to sign it when the invoice was issued that those additional items that were provided actually weren't provided," Mr Liu said. The alleged rigging and inflation of contracts by Transport for NSW procurement officer Mr Helmy, who is in hiding, between 2012 and 2024 has come under the microscope of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). ICAC is investigating allegations Mr Helmy was involved in corrupt relationships with companies that were paid at least $343 million in contracts. He is wanted by police and is believed to be in hiding after a failed attempt to leave Australia on a US passport in September. He is the principal - but not only - official involved in the ICAC inquiry. Investigations led to raids in September on the head office of Protection Barriers, one of the state's biggest roadworks companies, headed by Jason Chellew. Mr Ranken said in his opening address that he expected the evidence to show that Mr Liu received between $100,000 and $150,000 from Mr Chellew as part of a hire truck arrangement. "WE should get on the bandwagon" were the words Ibrahim Helmy allegedly used to first lure former Newcastle-based senior projects engineer David Liu into his web of corruption. "Basically it was an indication that we should get in bed with the contractors, inflate the rates, and get cash benefits," Mr Liu said. The conversation started with Mr Liu questioning Mr Helmy, a senior Transport for NSW figure, about the rates of various subcontractors. Mr Liu felt that some of their regular contractors, such as Protection Barriers, were ripping them off and that their prices were too high. Mr Helmy called it a COVID tax, inflation, because "things were getting expensive", Mr Liu said. In later conversations, the tone became more serious and the specifics of the how-to were discussed. During work-related phone calls, Mr Helmy made comments about having "a really safe way" to get cash kickbacks if they wanted to, Mr Liu said. "He said to me can you inflate the rates and I was shocked because I thought how could you ... how could you do that with all the oversight," Mr Liu said. "I didn't think it was feasible. He said 'I have my ways'." It was as simple as changing the rate, for example if the rate was $100 a linear metre, he would change it to $120'. That was one of the ways, he said. Another way was to add "extra services" such as traffic control, and a variety of things into the invoice, Mr Liu said. He was shocked that a procurement officer could do that Mr Liu said, but he also went along with it, and is accused of receiving more than $100,000 in kickbacks. Rob Ranken SC, Counsel Assisting the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in its inquiry into Transport for NSW corruption, asked him why he didn't report it. Mr Liu said he had done some soul searching about that, and part of the explanation was that he felt his career was going nowhere. "I think at that time a senior project position came up and I didn't win it," Mr Liu said. "It's fair to say I didn't do well in the interview. I felt, for whatever it's worth, no matter how good I am, this is it, this is my life forever. That's not an excuse though." Mr Liu said in other conversations with Mr Helmy they discussed in greater depth how the rort would work. "I asked, if you can inflate the rates, why do you need me," Mr Liu said. If he added extra items he needed me to look the other way, he said. Mr Helmy would supply a rate from the contractors on the panel, and then Mr Liu was to say how much money was left in the budget, and they could add that on to the bill and take it for themselves. "Basically he just wanted to add stuff and I just had to sign it when the invoice was issued that those additional items that were provided actually weren't provided," Mr Liu said. The alleged rigging and inflation of contracts by Transport for NSW procurement officer Mr Helmy, who is in hiding, between 2012 and 2024 has come under the microscope of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). ICAC is investigating allegations Mr Helmy was involved in corrupt relationships with companies that were paid at least $343 million in contracts. He is wanted by police and is believed to be in hiding after a failed attempt to leave Australia on a US passport in September. He is the principal - but not only - official involved in the ICAC inquiry. Investigations led to raids in September on the head office of Protection Barriers, one of the state's biggest roadworks companies, headed by Jason Chellew. Mr Ranken said in his opening address that he expected the evidence to show that Mr Liu received between $100,000 and $150,000 from Mr Chellew as part of a hire truck arrangement. "WE should get on the bandwagon" were the words Ibrahim Helmy allegedly used to first lure former Newcastle-based senior projects engineer David Liu into his web of corruption. "Basically it was an indication that we should get in bed with the contractors, inflate the rates, and get cash benefits," Mr Liu said. The conversation started with Mr Liu questioning Mr Helmy, a senior Transport for NSW figure, about the rates of various subcontractors. Mr Liu felt that some of their regular contractors, such as Protection Barriers, were ripping them off and that their prices were too high. Mr Helmy called it a COVID tax, inflation, because "things were getting expensive", Mr Liu said. In later conversations, the tone became more serious and the specifics of the how-to were discussed. During work-related phone calls, Mr Helmy made comments about having "a really safe way" to get cash kickbacks if they wanted to, Mr Liu said. "He said to me can you inflate the rates and I was shocked because I thought how could you ... how could you do that with all the oversight," Mr Liu said. "I didn't think it was feasible. He said 'I have my ways'." It was as simple as changing the rate, for example if the rate was $100 a linear metre, he would change it to $120'. That was one of the ways, he said. Another way was to add "extra services" such as traffic control, and a variety of things into the invoice, Mr Liu said. He was shocked that a procurement officer could do that Mr Liu said, but he also went along with it, and is accused of receiving more than $100,000 in kickbacks. Rob Ranken SC, Counsel Assisting the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in its inquiry into Transport for NSW corruption, asked him why he didn't report it. Mr Liu said he had done some soul searching about that, and part of the explanation was that he felt his career was going nowhere. "I think at that time a senior project position came up and I didn't win it," Mr Liu said. "It's fair to say I didn't do well in the interview. I felt, for whatever it's worth, no matter how good I am, this is it, this is my life forever. That's not an excuse though." Mr Liu said in other conversations with Mr Helmy they discussed in greater depth how the rort would work. "I asked, if you can inflate the rates, why do you need me," Mr Liu said. If he added extra items he needed me to look the other way, he said. Mr Helmy would supply a rate from the contractors on the panel, and then Mr Liu was to say how much money was left in the budget, and they could add that on to the bill and take it for themselves. "Basically he just wanted to add stuff and I just had to sign it when the invoice was issued that those additional items that were provided actually weren't provided," Mr Liu said. The alleged rigging and inflation of contracts by Transport for NSW procurement officer Mr Helmy, who is in hiding, between 2012 and 2024 has come under the microscope of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). ICAC is investigating allegations Mr Helmy was involved in corrupt relationships with companies that were paid at least $343 million in contracts. He is wanted by police and is believed to be in hiding after a failed attempt to leave Australia on a US passport in September. He is the principal - but not only - official involved in the ICAC inquiry. Investigations led to raids in September on the head office of Protection Barriers, one of the state's biggest roadworks companies, headed by Jason Chellew. Mr Ranken said in his opening address that he expected the evidence to show that Mr Liu received between $100,000 and $150,000 from Mr Chellew as part of a hire truck arrangement.
