Jobs for ‘mates' accusations over new TAFE Queensland board
The state opposition has blasted the appointment of three LNP 'mates' to the TAFE Queensland board, saying it contradicted Premier David Crisafulli's pre-election rhetoric about government integrity and accountability.
Employment and Training Minister Ros Bates appointment former Devine Limited chief financial officer Vivian Grayson as chairman of the board on Friday.
Among a further six board members announced were former LNP Ferny Grove candidate Christopher Lehmann and party donor Andrew Knox, who has donated more than $5000 to the LNP since 2016. Grayson has also donated to the LNP in the past.
In a LinkedIn post on Friday, outgoing chairman Andrew Dettmer said his sacking came as a surprise.
'Last night at 4.47pm I was informed by Minister Ros Bates that my tenure as a board member of TAFE Queensland was terminated as of 11.59pm that day – some 18 months before the expiry of my term,' he said.
Grayson was thanked in the maiden speeches of two Gold Coast-based LNP MPs – state Housing Minister Sam O'Connor and federal MP Angie Bell.
'My region is served well by Viv Grayson, with his calm and collected leadership style,' O'Connor said in his 2018 speech. 'There is rarely a [party] meeting that he is not at, and I thank him for his guidance.'
Opposition integrity spokeswoman Leeanne Enoch said the previous Labor-appointed board were selected on their merits, not party affiliation.
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