Welcome to Brisbane Times’ Queensland public sector column, Public Circus. This week: Sosso departure goss, a human rights office review, Ombudsman staff woes, ‘mind the gap’ on racism, and more.
For some time now, there’s been chatter about a looming change at the top of the public service: the departure of John Sosso.
The State Development supremo, who wears several other significant hats, was rumoured to have been eyeing the door before he landed a role on the redistribution commission.
Sosso appearing before a budget estimates hearing last July. Queensland Parliament But with a final determination from that body due to be published soon, whispers in the Circus tent are focusing around another milestone: estimates.
According to the word around 1 William Street, Sosso may very well not be around to face parliamentary scrutiny for a second year.
We’ve asked both Sosso and his minister Jarrod Bleijie about the matter. Sosso’s departmental media team gave us a no comment.
The scandal around Tim Mander may yet trigger a reshuffle of ministers – could we also see a corresponding rejigging of department bosses?
There are certainly a few pieces in play. The “exchange” of Chris Lamont (Customer Services chief) with David Sinclair (a Premier and Cabinet associate director-general), for a start.
Michael Drane is still acting atop Youth Justice, Brett Pointing remains only the interim Police Commissioner (with a recruitment process said to be coming), and a redesign of the entire Child Safety department has been floated.
On our count, that’s three department heads set to front estimates with less than six months in their gigs – always a handy out when asked about pre-existing problems.
And that’s before you throw Sosso’s rumoured see-ya into the mix. Which is a shame, because Circus still has unanswered questions for the veteran bureaucrat.
Another who’s only had a short lead time is Mander’s placeholder in the sport, racing and Olympics cabinet chair, Andrew Powell. But let’s not get too ahead of ourselves – there’s a budget first!
Human rights watchdog to face
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