Resources department paid $187k to industry figure for 25 days’ work

3 months ago 19

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 and talks with Swiss mining giant Glencore.

Director-general Graham Fraine confirmed the arrangement at a parliamentary estimates hearing, but would not be drawn on whether he knew of a donation to the LNP in Davies’ name.

Davies left his role leading major east-coast gas producer Senex Energy, part owned by Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting, in January after almost 15 years.

Ian Davies’ knowledge and expertise was described by Resources Minister Dale Last as “invaluable”.

For more than seven years until February, he held board roles – including as chair – with the peak Australian Energy Producers group, and since August has been on the board of Adelaide-based Amplitude Energy, where he will take up the chair position in November.

Responding to questions from Labor resources spokesperson Linus Power, Fraine said the north-west was a key focus of the government, both for negotiations with Glencore around its Mount Isa operations, and future development of the mineral-rich region.

“Davies was engaged as a result of conversations that I had, both between myself and the minister [Dale Last] about people who are well qualified and well engaged in the mining industry in this state and would be of benefit for the work that we needed,” Fraine said.

He added this related to “the work that we are looking at doing in Mount Isa” and confirmed Davies was engaged on a contract basis for “up to 25 days” for the sum of $187,500.

Power then asked whether Fraine was aware of a $2000 donation made to the LNP in Davies’ name last August, but was not provided an answer. Comment has been sought from Davies through Amplitude.

Later in the hearing, Traeger MP Robbie Katter – whose electorate covers Mount Isa and the north-west – said it was the first time he had heard Davies’ name, and asked Last about Davies’ experience with base metals and mineral processing.

“Davies brings over a decade of leadership in Queensland’s energy and resources sector, having facilitated the transformation of Senex Energy from a junior miner in the Cooper Basin with one employee to a critical east-coast natural gas producer with hundreds of employees,” Last said.

“He’s been working alongside our department to provide analysis and inform the development of solutions to restore confidence and drive new investment in the north-west Queensland region.

“He’s very well respected, he’s worked right across the state, he has in-depth knowledge – a comprehensive knowledge – of the resource industry in Queensland, and it’s that knowledge and expertise he has brought to the table.”

Katter tried to confirm that Davies had no experience in base metals or the region.

Last said he would have to “dig up” Davies’ CV, “but I can assure you ... that the knowledge and expertise that he is bringing to the table is invaluable”.

It was also revealed the Crisafulli government spent $34,000 on its youth justice panel that has met eight times this year.

The five-member panel was appointed in February to recommend extra offences be added to its “adult crime, adult time” laws, but the government has so far refused to release advice it has received from the panel.

The Labor opposition has repeatedly called for the government to release the panel’s advice. It reiterated those calls at Tuesday night’s budget estimates hearing, where Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber was questioned by Labor’s youth justice spokeswoman Di Farmer.

“Queensland taxpayers have paid the expert legal panel $34,000. The panel has met eight times in 2025. Do you believe Queenslanders have a right to see the advice that they’ve paid for?” Farmer asked.

Gerber replied that the advice was ongoing.

“We haven’t ruled out the option of the expert legal panel providing a document at the end of that advice,” she said.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.