Troubled department confirms third permanent boss in closed-door hire

A third head of a Queensland department steering work on youth justice and victim support has been permanently appointed without an external recruitment process, five months after he was elevated to the role on an acting basis.

Michael Drane’s confirmation as Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support director-general marks the first in a series of moves looming for the Crisafulli LNP to shore up interim roles at the top of four agencies.

The top role under Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber has turned over more than any other department chief since the election, with Gerber’s ministerial office experiencing even greater churn amid claims of “toxicity”.

Gazetted on Friday morning, but not announced more widely by Gerber or Premier David Crisafulli – who formally appoints department chiefs – until later in the day, Drane has been appointed for a period of five years effective from July 10.

Under directives for the recruitment and selection of directors-general, Crisafulli is responsible for deciding the process, including whether a competitive advertised approach is taken.

This is despite the landmark 1989 Fitzgerald Inquiry report suggesting all director-general appointments be conducted through an external, transparent, merit-based recruitment process.

Drane is an admitted lawyer who started his career as a youth worker in 2003, directed the 2016 Independent Review into Youth Detention and led the Youth Justice Taskforce in collaboration with police.

Brisbane Times makes no suggestion he is not suitable or qualified for the role.

Asked about the status of any recruitment process for the role last month, a spokesperson for the Public Service Commission said the government would “progress an appointment to the role in due course”.

Drane’s appointment leaves acting or temporary arrangements in place for chiefs at three other departments: state development, police and customer services.

It comes amid mounting questions facing the department, Gerber and the government over the rollout of its $480 million suite of youth early intervention and rehabilitation programs.

The department, and the offices of Crisafulli and Gerber, have been contacted for comment. Gerber has previously dismissed what she described as “spurious personal allegations” about her behaviour.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the department said Drane’s appointment was made in line with longstanding government recruitment and appointment policies and procedures.

Gerber, in a late Friday media release, said Drane brought more than two decades of experience to the role and would provide strong and stable leadership for the key department.

“Michael has extensive operational and strategic experience, with a deep understanding of Queensland’s youth justice system and the challenges facing it,” Gerber said.

“He has built his career working across frontline services, policy development and system reform, giving him unique insight into the opportunities and challenges within the portfolio.”

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