Political Appointments Spark 'Jobs-for-Mates' Controversy in Queensland Government

Recent Appointments Draw Criticism

A former director of the ACT Liberal Party and a past Queensland Young Liberals president have been appointed to key state government roles, sparking renewed 'jobs-for-mates' claims from the opposition.

Daniel Clode was appointed as deputy under-treasurer for finance and investment in early January, while Tim Rawlings was announced as TAFE Queensland chief executive last week.

While revealed internally at the time, Clode's appointment – which took effect on January 27 – is yet to be formally announced by the government or department.

Background of Appointees

Clode updated his LinkedIn profile to reflect his new role this week. The former senior Australian Taxation Office director has advised a range of former federal Liberal ministers, most recently Mathias Cormann and Simon Birmingham. He has also held roles including director and campaign director of the ACT division of the Liberal Party.

An internal email announcing Clode's appointment describes him as "an experienced professional with over two decades working in public policy, financial governance, and ministerial advisory roles."

TAFE Queensland Board Changes

Last Friday, Finance Minister Ros Bates also announced new board members and a chief executive for TAFE Queensland. Rawlings, who was president of the Queensland Young Liberals in 2006, has worked at consulting giant PwC, with a stint as a staffer in the Newman government and, more recently, as a managing director of PwC spin-off Scyne Advisory.

In her statement announcing those appointments, Bates said Rawlings brought deep experience across training, industry and government. "His leadership will help strengthen TAFE Queensland as a high-performing public training provider," she said.

Bates had already faced opposition criticism for overhauling the TAFE board last May. New chair Viv Grayson and member Andrew Knox had been previous donors to the LNP. A third new member, Christopher Lehmann, had been the party's candidate for the seat of Ferny Grove in the 2020 state election.

Board Member Departures

Four other new members were also appointed for four-year terms, while members Jody Currie and Nicole Brigg were kept on for board "continuity." However, while their terms weren't due to expire until November 2026 and February 2027, respectively, they are no longer listed as board members on the updated TAFE website.

Currie, who was the board's deputy chair, was given no reason for her sacking, according to a source with knowledge of the matter.

Contacted about the unannounced departures of Currie and Brigg, Bates said in a statement only that the government had "completed a refresh of the TAFE Queensland board." The minister said the changes would "ensure the organisation has the right leadership, experience, and industry insight to respond to Queensland's skills needs and workforce challenges."

Political Reactions

Labor's shadow treasurer, Shannon Fentiman, described the new appointments as "another jobs-for-mates hire." "Instead of being laser-focused on addressing nation-leading inflation in Queensland, the finance minister is too busy handing out plum jobs to LNP party faithful," Fentiman said in a statement.

Labor also faced criticism from the LNP during its decade in government for appointing union or party figures to key roles.

A government spokesperson confirmed that external recruitment processes had been carried out for "a number of leadership positions" in Treasury, but refused to detail them. "A gazette notice will be issued confirming the relevant appointments from these processes in due course," they said on January 7.

A government spokesperson on Saturday said a gazette notice "usually occurs shortly after the commencement of a person's role."