Matt Dennien
@mattdennien.bsky.social
State political reporter at Brisbane Times・Qld media president of MEAA・Ex-4ZZZ・On Yuggera Ugarapul country・Secure msg: Signal (@mattdennien.15) & mattdennien@proton.me・mattdennien.com
Pinned
Matt Dennien
@mattdennien.bsky.social
· Jul 16
Along w reporting on all things Qld politics & parliament, I can now say my patch is also growing to focus more on the public service
So, please, say hey, or flick your goss/tips/leaks (confidentially, of course) my way – big & small 👋
I'm at mattdennien@protonmail.com & @mattdennien.15 on Signal
So, please, say hey, or flick your goss/tips/leaks (confidentially, of course) my way – big & small 👋
I'm at mattdennien@protonmail.com & @mattdennien.15 on Signal
Queensland’s LNP state council has called on the Crisafulli government to abolish payroll tax by 2032, among a series of resolutions up for debate at a weekend party gathering.
Abolishing payroll tax and the other items on LNP conference wishlist
As party figures dive into two days of non-binding policy debate and internal matters on the Gold Coast, one major resolution already passed has the ear of the premier.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
November 8, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Queensland’s LNP state council has called on the Crisafulli government to abolish payroll tax by 2032, among a series of resolutions up for debate at a weekend party gathering.
The Crisafulli govt has been accused of failing to meaningfully respond to concerns from groups helping adopted Queenslanders reconnect w forcibly separated family, after a two-month silence from one minister re changes to information access was only broken after Qs from BT
Ministers ‘deflecting responsibility’ over forced adoption detail fix
Unexpected changes curbing the reconnection of families split under historical child removals frustrated support services. Two months later, so has the state’s response.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
November 8, 2025 at 5:00 AM
The Crisafulli govt has been accused of failing to meaningfully respond to concerns from groups helping adopted Queenslanders reconnect w forcibly separated family, after a two-month silence from one minister re changes to information access was only broken after Qs from BT
The Queensland LNP government has scrapped a new purpose-built clinic for children’s mental health in Yeronga, despite months ago putting aside more than $3 million for it to go ahead. Story from Felicity Caldwell
Crisafulli government dumps child mental health hub
The local MP described the move as “secretive and suss”, but the government says the project’s budget had blown out by more than four times its original price tag.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
November 6, 2025 at 2:20 AM
The Queensland LNP government has scrapped a new purpose-built clinic for children’s mental health in Yeronga, despite months ago putting aside more than $3 million for it to go ahead. Story from Felicity Caldwell
Queensland’s CFMEU inquiry will hold its first block of public hearings within a fortnight despite the sudden loss of five key staff members, with their replacements to be detailed in days.
CFMEU probe will call witnesses in weeks as internal questions linger
The Queensland inquiry will hold its first block of public hearings this month despite the sudden loss of five key staff and concerns about its operation.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
November 5, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Queensland’s CFMEU inquiry will hold its first block of public hearings within a fortnight despite the sudden loss of five key staff members, with their replacements to be detailed in days.
icymi late on Friday
New: The Queensland commission of inquiry into CFMEU corruption has suffered a major setback, through the sudden resignation of its senior counsel assisting and three junior barristers amid concerns about its operations. Story w Nick McKenzie
‘Questions need to be answered’: Four lawyers walk from CFMEU corruption inquiry
The departure of lawyers from the commission of inquiry and the reassignment of its secretary represent a major setback for the attempt to clean up the construction sector.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
November 2, 2025 at 10:26 PM
icymi late on Friday
Reposted by Matt Dennien
New: The Queensland commission of inquiry into CFMEU corruption has suffered a major setback, through the sudden resignation of its senior counsel assisting and three junior barristers amid concerns about its operations. Story w Nick McKenzie
‘Questions need to be answered’: Four lawyers walk from CFMEU corruption inquiry
The departure of lawyers from the commission of inquiry and the reassignment of its secretary represent a major setback for the attempt to clean up the construction sector.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
October 31, 2025 at 8:58 AM
New: The Queensland commission of inquiry into CFMEU corruption has suffered a major setback, through the sudden resignation of its senior counsel assisting and three junior barristers amid concerns about its operations. Story w Nick McKenzie
New: The Queensland commission of inquiry into CFMEU corruption has suffered a major setback, through the sudden resignation of its senior counsel assisting and three junior barristers amid concerns about its operations. Story w Nick McKenzie
‘Questions need to be answered’: Four lawyers walk from CFMEU corruption inquiry
The departure of lawyers from the commission of inquiry and the reassignment of its secretary represent a major setback for the attempt to clean up the construction sector.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
October 31, 2025 at 8:58 AM
New: The Queensland commission of inquiry into CFMEU corruption has suffered a major setback, through the sudden resignation of its senior counsel assisting and three junior barristers amid concerns about its operations. Story w Nick McKenzie
Queensland Finance Minister Ros Bates has handed a recent state port board appointee with links to her governing Liberal National Party a lucrative new position after his property conflicts became too difficult to manage.
Minister shifts board pick into plum new role after conflict concerns
Finance Minister Ros Bates says issues around a previous port board appointee’s interest in adjacent land means he will now chair a state-owned energy company.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
October 30, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Queensland Finance Minister Ros Bates has handed a recent state port board appointee with links to her governing Liberal National Party a lucrative new position after his property conflicts became too difficult to manage.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli this morning on that election vow for a yearly ambulance ramping target
More in the blog: www.brisbanetimes.co...
More in the blog: www.brisbanetimes.co...
October 30, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli this morning on that election vow for a yearly ambulance ramping target
More in the blog: www.brisbanetimes.co...
More in the blog: www.brisbanetimes.co...
Reposted by Matt Dennien
Updated tonight with confirmation from LGBTI Legal Service of new action in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal on discrimination and human rights grounds.
The Queensland government could yet face another courtroom push against its pause on gender-affirming care for children, with the legal service behind this week’s successful ruling considering options to fight Health Minister Tim Nicholls’ new directive. Story w Courtney Kruk
‘Exploring options’: Nicholls could face fresh court challenge over gender care ban
The Crisafulli government has defended its decision to reinstate the controversial ban within hours of a court ruling an earlier version was unlawful.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
October 29, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Updated tonight with confirmation from LGBTI Legal Service of new action in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal on discrimination and human rights grounds.
Updated tonight with confirmation from LGBTI Legal Service of new action in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal on discrimination and human rights grounds.
The Queensland government could yet face another courtroom push against its pause on gender-affirming care for children, with the legal service behind this week’s successful ruling considering options to fight Health Minister Tim Nicholls’ new directive. Story w Courtney Kruk
‘Exploring options’: Nicholls could face fresh court challenge over gender care ban
The Crisafulli government has defended its decision to reinstate the controversial ban within hours of a court ruling an earlier version was unlawful.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
October 29, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Updated tonight with confirmation from LGBTI Legal Service of new action in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal on discrimination and human rights grounds.
The Queensland government could yet face another courtroom push against its pause on gender-affirming care for children, with the legal service behind this week’s successful ruling considering options to fight Health Minister Tim Nicholls’ new directive. Story w Courtney Kruk
‘Exploring options’: Nicholls could face fresh court challenge over gender care ban
The Crisafulli government has defended its decision to reinstate the controversial ban within hours of a court ruling an earlier version was unlawful.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
October 29, 2025 at 3:11 AM
The Queensland government could yet face another courtroom push against its pause on gender-affirming care for children, with the legal service behind this week’s successful ruling considering options to fight Health Minister Tim Nicholls’ new directive. Story w Courtney Kruk
Queensland is still yet to complete a whole-of-government update to its appointment process for major board roles more than three years after a critical auditor-general report.
Queensland vowed to update board job processes in 2022. It still hasn’t
A critical Palaszczuk-era audit office report found outdated guidelines and practices for appointments and reappointments, but the key call is still in progress.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
October 28, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Queensland is still yet to complete a whole-of-government update to its appointment process for major board roles more than three years after a critical auditor-general report.
The federal environment minister has called the weather bureau in for an urgent meeting to explain how it will fix its new website, which launched just days before wild storms hit south-east Queensland — sparking criticism today from the state’s premier and energy minister.
Demand for weather bureau to explain how it will fix ‘flawed’ website
The federal minister responsible for the Bureau of Meteorology said the new website had not met users’ expectations, and the agency should urgently consider how to fix it.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
October 28, 2025 at 8:07 AM
The federal environment minister has called the weather bureau in for an urgent meeting to explain how it will fix its new website, which launched just days before wild storms hit south-east Queensland — sparking criticism today from the state’s premier and energy minister.
From Julius Dennis today on govt board changes: Dr Aysin Dedekorkut-Howes, who served just a year of her Qld Reconstruction Authority board term, is worried about its lack of expertise after she & renowned disaster risk reduction expert Dr Robert Glasser were cut. More here www.brisbanetimes.co...
October 28, 2025 at 6:25 AM
From Julius Dennis today on govt board changes: Dr Aysin Dedekorkut-Howes, who served just a year of her Qld Reconstruction Authority board term, is worried about its lack of expertise after she & renowned disaster risk reduction expert Dr Robert Glasser were cut. More here www.brisbanetimes.co...
The Queensland government acted unlawfully and did not follow proper procedures when enforcing a ban on gender-affirming treatment for children with gender dysphoria earlier this year, a court has ruled – story w/ Courtney Kruk
‘Unlawful’: LNP government’s gender blocker ban overturned in court
A judge has ruled in favour of the parent of a transgender teen who questioned the legality of Queensland’s ban of gender-affirming care for children.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
October 28, 2025 at 3:22 AM
The Queensland government acted unlawfully and did not follow proper procedures when enforcing a ban on gender-affirming treatment for children with gender dysphoria earlier this year, a court has ruled – story w/ Courtney Kruk
some curious finer internal details in James Hall’s 12 months of Crisafulli govt piece here, incl grumblings Jarrod Bleijie is the only partyroom figure w license to share ideological views & his renewable energy retreat undermines delivery of David Janetzki’s energy roadmap.
The advice Crisafulli ignored on his way to forming government
One year into David Crisafuli’s reign, the premier sits down with Brisbane Times to discuss his plan for winning successive elections, as well as the federal coalition squabbles and criticism levelled at his government.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
October 24, 2025 at 11:21 PM
some curious finer internal details in James Hall’s 12 months of Crisafulli govt piece here, incl grumblings Jarrod Bleijie is the only partyroom figure w license to share ideological views & his renewable energy retreat undermines delivery of David Janetzki’s energy roadmap.
Reposted by Matt Dennien
Brisbane/Meanjin vigil to observe the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, Nov 2.
We will commemorate the 50 years since the killing of the Balibo Five and Roger East, as well as lament the killing of all journalists and media workers over the last year.
meaa.io/4nlgVuz
We will commemorate the 50 years since the killing of the Balibo Five and Roger East, as well as lament the killing of all journalists and media workers over the last year.
meaa.io/4nlgVuz
October 24, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Brisbane/Meanjin vigil to observe the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, Nov 2.
We will commemorate the 50 years since the killing of the Balibo Five and Roger East, as well as lament the killing of all journalists and media workers over the last year.
meaa.io/4nlgVuz
We will commemorate the 50 years since the killing of the Balibo Five and Roger East, as well as lament the killing of all journalists and media workers over the last year.
meaa.io/4nlgVuz
New: A senior Queensland minister has sought to discredit the Australian chapter of a global anti-corruption organisation in response to revelations by this masthead of a suite of quiet board appointments by his government since the state election.
Minister lashes global anti-corruption group amid board overhaul concern
After this masthead’s investigation revealed the scale of Crisafulli government changes to boards in its first year, one senior member has criticised reformers.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
October 24, 2025 at 5:49 AM
New: A senior Queensland minister has sought to discredit the Australian chapter of a global anti-corruption organisation in response to revelations by this masthead of a suite of quiet board appointments by his government since the state election.
The Qld govt has quietly appointed a series of people with LNP connections to state boards without public announcements in the year since it took office, including at least 10 party figures whose appointments have not yet been reported. (w Julius Dennis) www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/que...
The LNP have faced flak for ‘sack a board Friday’. That’s only part of it
An investigation by this masthead has found even more appointees with LNP links.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
October 24, 2025 at 3:00 AM
The Qld govt has quietly appointed a series of people with LNP connections to state boards without public announcements in the year since it took office, including at least 10 party figures whose appointments have not yet been reported. (w Julius Dennis) www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/que...
New: My colleague Julius Dennis & I spent the last two weeks sifting through Qld’s appointment register, ministerial statements & websites & found updates to 1/3 of the state’s 320 boards since the 2024 election.
Only 1/3 of these have been announced in a ministerial statement.
Only 1/3 of these have been announced in a ministerial statement.
October 23, 2025 at 10:48 PM
New: My colleague Julius Dennis & I spent the last two weeks sifting through Qld’s appointment register, ministerial statements & websites & found updates to 1/3 of the state’s 320 boards since the 2024 election.
Only 1/3 of these have been announced in a ministerial statement.
Only 1/3 of these have been announced in a ministerial statement.
Qld Premier David Crisafulli has apologised for what he described as a "poor choice of words" at a News Corp event y/day re his govt's efforts to address crime promises, just days after CCTV footage emerged of an apparently random alleged attack in the Victorian capital.
Crisafulli walks back comments making light of Melbourne stabbing
The premier had said interstate businesses should invest in Queensland ahead of the 2032 Olympics because their workers “won’t get stabbed”.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
October 18, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Qld Premier David Crisafulli has apologised for what he described as a "poor choice of words" at a News Corp event y/day re his govt's efforts to address crime promises, just days after CCTV footage emerged of an apparently random alleged attack in the Victorian capital.
this week in Qld parliament saw the KAP's Nick Dametto make good on his plans and formally resign to contest the Townsville mayoral byelection – with one now, date TBC, also to be held for his northern seat.
October 18, 2025 at 12:55 AM
this week in Qld parliament saw the KAP's Nick Dametto make good on his plans and formally resign to contest the Townsville mayoral byelection – with one now, date TBC, also to be held for his northern seat.
An inquiry into Queensland’s 10¢ bottle recycling scheme has referred 10 complaints to the corruption watchdog after it uncovered “disturbing” claims of alleged bullying, harassment and intimidation. (w/ Felicity Caldwell)
Bullying claims, failures ‘baked into’ Queensland recycling scheme
Whistleblowers have alleged bullying, harassment and intimidation by staff, while an inquiry claims its establishment was rushed and poorly planned.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
October 16, 2025 at 2:32 AM
An inquiry into Queensland’s 10¢ bottle recycling scheme has referred 10 complaints to the corruption watchdog after it uncovered “disturbing” claims of alleged bullying, harassment and intimidation. (w/ Felicity Caldwell)
👀
#ResolvePM Qld (state) LNP 33 ALP 32 Grn 10 ON 9 IND 7* KAP 1 other 7 (* likely overstated)
My 2PP estimate LNP trails 49.3-50.7 (-0.2). V similar to previous Resolve Qld poll. Polls by others in first half of year much stronger for LNP. #qldpol
www.smh.com.au/politics/que...
My 2PP estimate LNP trails 49.3-50.7 (-0.2). V similar to previous Resolve Qld poll. Polls by others in first half of year much stronger for LNP. #qldpol
www.smh.com.au/politics/que...
Miles sheds support but major parties neck and neck
The gap in primary support between the two major parties has closed slightly, but voters are increasingly uncertain about their preferred premier.
www.smh.com.au
October 15, 2025 at 11:41 PM
👀