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An environmental planning expert sacked from the board of the body responsible for rebuilding after natural disasters in Queensland says she is worried about the new board’s lack of expertise.
Dr Aysin Dedekorkut-Howes voiced her concerns after an investigation by this masthead into board changes made during the state government’s first year in power, which found 20 former LNP politicians, candidates and members of the party executive had been handed roles.
Dr Aysin Dedekorkut-Howes served just one year on the board.
The Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s (QRA) board was completely overhauled in September, with all of its members shown the door and Jane McNamara, a former north Queensland mayor who sits on an LNP policy committee, installed as chair.
Dedekorkut-Howes, from Griffith University, said she was completely surprised when disaster recovery minister Ann Leahy called in September to say her services were no longer needed just one year into her three-year term.
“The minister told me it had nothing to do with our performance, she thanked me for my services, and she said the government had decided to take a different approach,” she said.
Along with Dedekorkut-Howes, world renowned disaster risk reduction expert Dr Robert Glasser was cut from the board.
The board’s new chair, former Flinders Shire mayor Jane McNamara, pictured with Scott Morrison.Credit: Derek Barry/North West Star
Former Queensland Police Service Commissioner Katarina Carroll, who was the board’s chair, retired Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive Greg Hallam, and the ex-Burdekin mayor Lynette McLaughlin were also let go.
The overhaul landed former Flinders Shire mayor Jane McNamara in the chair’s seat, and brought in retired brigadier Chris Anstey, Central Highlands councillor Gail Godwin-Smith and former Burdekin councillor Dr Kaylee Boccalatte as members.
Both McNamara and Anstey are linked to the LNP, with the former sitting on the party’s local government policy committee and the brigadier serving as the chief of staff for three LNP Brisbane mayors.
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Last week, an investigation into board changes during the government’s first year in power found 20 LNP politicians, candidates and members of the party’s executive had been handed gigs.
McNamara’s role had been publicly announced, but 10 others were not.
This masthead does not suggest that any of the appointees were not qualified or suitable for their roles, but Dedekorkut-Howes said she and Glasser both being taken off the QRA board was a reason for concern.
“They replaced two people with experience on these issues with people who don’t have this kind of expertise,” she said
“Both he and I work on climate adaption, disaster resilience type of subjects, which is very relevant to this board. That is why we were appointed to that board.”
The QRA board chair position pays $83,000 annually, while board members receive between $2000 and $1300.
Glasser was contacted for comment through his role at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, where he is a senior fellow, but did not reply.
A spokesperson from the minister’s office said the new board was well qualified for the job.
“The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start for Queensland which includes ensuring we are disaster prepared and recovery ready.”
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