Matt Dennien
@mattdennien.bsky.social
State political reporter at Brisbane Times・Qld media president of MEAA・Ex-4ZZZ・On Yuggera & Turrbal 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
Former LNP member for Brisbane Trevor Evans will take over the 10 cent refund recycling program in Queensland, run by a non-profit on behalf of the state govt, months after it became embroiled in allegations of bullying and intimidation.
10¢ recycling program taken over by former politician months after controversy
Late last year the corruption watchdog was referred 10 complaints about the not-for-profit including alleged bullying and harassment.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
January 7, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Former LNP member for Brisbane Trevor Evans will take over the 10 cent refund recycling program in Queensland, run by a non-profit on behalf of the state govt, months after it became embroiled in allegations of bullying and intimidation.
Reposted by Matt Dennien
Breaking: The LGBTI Legal Service announced on Tuesday it had filed an application for judicial review in the Supreme Court, seeking to have Health Minister Tim Nicholls’ directive declared unlawful.
Legal service files fresh effort to scrap Queensland kids gender care ban
The state government is facing its second major challenge to a ban on new public gender-affirming care for young people, after its own review warned of legal risks.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
January 6, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Breaking: The LGBTI Legal Service announced on Tuesday it had filed an application for judicial review in the Supreme Court, seeking to have Health Minister Tim Nicholls’ directive declared unlawful.
Breaking: The LGBTI Legal Service announced on Tuesday it had filed an application for judicial review in the Supreme Court, seeking to have Health Minister Tim Nicholls’ directive declared unlawful.
Legal service files fresh effort to scrap Queensland kids gender care ban
The state government is facing its second major challenge to a ban on new public gender-affirming care for young people, after its own review warned of legal risks.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
January 6, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Breaking: The LGBTI Legal Service announced on Tuesday it had filed an application for judicial review in the Supreme Court, seeking to have Health Minister Tim Nicholls’ directive declared unlawful.
New from me: the second of our two-part look at the Queensland govt's use of consultants & contractors, incl detail about a new firm w deep ties to the state health system winning significant work from its largest public hospital service + dept's "big four" spending.
Former department head’s firm lands major work in consulting cash splash
A two-part investigation into government consultant and contractor use also found $25 million awarded to “big four” firms despite the LNP’s tough election stance.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
January 5, 2026 at 10:13 PM
New from me: the second of our two-part look at the Queensland govt's use of consultants & contractors, incl detail about a new firm w deep ties to the state health system winning significant work from its largest public hospital service + dept's "big four" spending.
Reposted by Matt Dennien
Forceful commentary from my Sydney colleague, international law expert Ben Saul: 'Countries like Australia need to wake up to who they are dealing with in the US ... Appeasing him emboldens him to do worse...'
Australia should not lie in bed with a shameless dictator like Trump
The US president should be met with strength, not with “fear, fawning and appeasement”.
www.smh.com.au
January 4, 2026 at 7:28 AM
Forceful commentary from my Sydney colleague, international law expert Ben Saul: 'Countries like Australia need to wake up to who they are dealing with in the US ... Appeasing him emboldens him to do worse...'
New from me: first of two-part look at the Queensland government's continued use of consultants and contractors after coming to power pledging a multibillion-dollar crackdown to help pay for its election promises and manage the budget from opposition.
The LNP vowed to cap its outlay on consultants to fund promises. It’s still spending
Our two-part investigation into the government’s use of private consultants has found significant continued spending and wound-back oversight.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
January 4, 2026 at 10:17 PM
New from me: first of two-part look at the Queensland government's continued use of consultants and contractors after coming to power pledging a multibillion-dollar crackdown to help pay for its election promises and manage the budget from opposition.
The Queensland government has announced the first instalment of $100 million earmarked for the state’s richest horse racing club to redevelop an ageing spectator stand, before the loan’s terms have even been agreed.
Qld hands over first $25m for Eagle Farm grandstand before loan terms are signed
The government has announced the first instalment of $100m bound for the Brisbane Racing Club while repayment details are still “being worked through”.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
January 3, 2026 at 10:53 PM
The Queensland government has announced the first instalment of $100 million earmarked for the state’s richest horse racing club to redevelop an ageing spectator stand, before the loan’s terms have even been agreed.
Happy new year/Queensland cabinet minute release day!
From me: some insight from 1995's short-lived third-term Goss govt scramble to show voters it was serious about hundreds of election promises. Except one maybe rather telling one.
From me: some insight from 1995's short-lived third-term Goss govt scramble to show voters it was serious about hundreds of election promises. Except one maybe rather telling one.
How the Goss government tried to win back voters in its dying days
Newly released cabinet documents from 1995 detail the efforts of the then Queensland Labor government to recover from a knife-edge, and temporary, election win.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
December 31, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Happy new year/Queensland cabinet minute release day!
From me: some insight from 1995's short-lived third-term Goss govt scramble to show voters it was serious about hundreds of election promises. Except one maybe rather telling one.
From me: some insight from 1995's short-lived third-term Goss govt scramble to show voters it was serious about hundreds of election promises. Except one maybe rather telling one.
Premier David Crisafulli has today described the former Labor govt’s decriminalisation of public drunkenness, as recommended by the 1991 Aboriginal deaths in custody royal commission, as “knee-jerk”, “short-sighted” & “wrong”. His govt will look to change in 2026.
Queensland to unwind ‘knee-jerk’ action on decades-old inquiry call
Under Labor, the state was the last to decriminalise public drunkenness – disproportionately used against Indigenous Australians. The LNP will change course.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
December 30, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Premier David Crisafulli has today described the former Labor govt’s decriminalisation of public drunkenness, as recommended by the 1991 Aboriginal deaths in custody royal commission, as “knee-jerk”, “short-sighted” & “wrong”. His govt will look to change in 2026.
In other news today: Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls says he is yet to be briefed on the details of the staff in his department accused of taking kickbacks for allowing the use of a medical company’s devices in public hospitals.
Minister also awaiting detail on health officials accused of corruption
The CCC alleges secret payments were taken to allow a medical company’s devices into public hospitals. The government say they don’t yet know who’s involved.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
December 19, 2025 at 10:19 AM
In other news today: Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls says he is yet to be briefed on the details of the staff in his department accused of taking kickbacks for allowing the use of a medical company’s devices in public hospitals.
Breaking: Queensland’s ban on gender-affirming care for children will continue until at least 2031, the state government announced, as it released a long-awaited review into public hospital gender services.
Ban on kids’ gender care in Queensland public hospitals extended
The pause on stage one and two hormone therapies will continue until the end of the United Kingdom’s “Pathways” trial in 2031.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
December 19, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Breaking: Queensland’s ban on gender-affirming care for children will continue until at least 2031, the state government announced, as it released a long-awaited review into public hospital gender services.
The Qld govt is looking to expand the number of banned hate symbols alongside other action on hate speech and antisemitism, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington says.
While there's little detail so far of what may feature, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has offered some hints.
While there's little detail so far of what may feature, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has offered some hints.
Queensland to ban more hate symbols in fight against antisemitism
Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said “everything” was on the table in Queensland’s crackdown on hate speech, but the government would not rush its response.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
December 18, 2025 at 8:14 AM
The Qld govt is looking to expand the number of banned hate symbols alongside other action on hate speech and antisemitism, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington says.
While there's little detail so far of what may feature, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has offered some hints.
While there's little detail so far of what may feature, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has offered some hints.
Exclusive from yesterday I forgot to post: Qld's major public sector union has taken what it says is unprecedented industrial umpire action, accusing the health dept of bargaining in bad faith and seeking to have what it says was a withdrawn pay offer put back on the table.
Union seeks to force Queensland Health to honour withdrawn pay offer
Queensland’s major public sector union has taken what it described as unprecedented action, in a move that could upend the government’s approach to pay talks.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
December 18, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Exclusive from yesterday I forgot to post: Qld's major public sector union has taken what it says is unprecedented industrial umpire action, accusing the health dept of bargaining in bad faith and seeking to have what it says was a withdrawn pay offer put back on the table.
Nicholls has denied forcing Kelleher to quit because he lacked the power to sack her, after board concerns her work could harm its relationship with him
But he also shed new detail, & downplayed his role, as an anti-corruption group warned about govts removing critics
But he also shed new detail, & downplayed his role, as an anti-corruption group warned about govts removing critics
Minister denies forcing abortion advocate to quit hospital board role
Tim Nicholls has responded to accusations that he gave Daile Kelleher an ultimatum because he lacked the legal power to sack her.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
December 16, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Nicholls has denied forcing Kelleher to quit because he lacked the power to sack her, after board concerns her work could harm its relationship with him
But he also shed new detail, & downplayed his role, as an anti-corruption group warned about govts removing critics
But he also shed new detail, & downplayed his role, as an anti-corruption group warned about govts removing critics
Scoop: Queensland’s health minister pushed a prominent abortion advocate to quit a hospital board worried her public work could harm its relationship with the new govt, according to documents obtained by BT. Then the govt boosted its powers to sack directors without cause.
Minister pushed one-time rival from hospital role, then changed board laws
New laws allow cabinet to dismiss board members without reason, but before they even came in, Queensland’s health minister pushed an abortion advocate to quit her board role.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
December 14, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Scoop: Queensland’s health minister pushed a prominent abortion advocate to quit a hospital board worried her public work could harm its relationship with the new govt, according to documents obtained by BT. Then the govt boosted its powers to sack directors without cause.
Reposted by Matt Dennien
The 50-year-old Bondi beach terror suspect who died was a licensed firearms holder, and had six firearms, NSW police say. Police have the six firearms from the scene yesterday. His 24yo son is in police custody in hospital in a critical but stable condition.
December 14, 2025 at 8:34 PM
The 50-year-old Bondi beach terror suspect who died was a licensed firearms holder, and had six firearms, NSW police say. Police have the six firearms from the scene yesterday. His 24yo son is in police custody in hospital in a critical but stable condition.
heartbreaking
The death toll in the mass shooting at a Jewish holiday celebration in Australia rose to 15 people, officials said on Monday morning, and more than three dozen others were hospitalized. A gunman was also killed. Follow live updates.
Bondi Beach Shooting Live Updates: 15 Victims and a Gunman Dead After Attack
Australian officials said the shooting, on Bondi Beach, was a terrorist attack targeting Jews. More than three dozen people were hospitalized, including a surviving gunman. A bystander disarmed one of the attackers.
nyti.ms
December 14, 2025 at 8:46 PM
heartbreaking
Queensland teachers have escalated a year-long fight with the education department over special school funding reductions, filing a formal dispute in the state’s industrial commission.
Teachers union takes special school funding fight to industrial court
A new model for state schools to support the more than 106,000 students with disability launched at the start of this year. Staff and principals remain concerned.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
December 13, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Queensland teachers have escalated a year-long fight with the education department over special school funding reductions, filing a formal dispute in the state’s industrial commission.
Breaking: Property developers will again be allowed to make political donations in Qld state elections under proposed electoral law changes by the Crisafulli LNP govt, also reducing prison voting rights from those serving up to 3y sentences to those serving less than 1.
LNP moves to allow political donations from developers
The change is laid out in proposed laws introduced on Thursday, also winding back voting access in prisons but avoiding a promised change to preferential voting.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
December 11, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Breaking: Property developers will again be allowed to make political donations in Qld state elections under proposed electoral law changes by the Crisafulli LNP govt, also reducing prison voting rights from those serving up to 3y sentences to those serving less than 1.
New: A major anti-corruption group has raised concerns over a Crisafulli government move to expand its sweeping overhaul of board positions to Queensland’s health services.
LNP opens door to hospital board overhauls, raising spectre of ‘cronyism’
The Crisafulli government made sweeping changes to other boards, but lacked the power to remove health service directors for no reason – until now.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
December 10, 2025 at 10:27 PM
New: A major anti-corruption group has raised concerns over a Crisafulli government move to expand its sweeping overhaul of board positions to Queensland’s health services.
Updated now with more detail from the report: the accidental disclosure was found to have occurred in seven cases from 2020 to 2023
In the three most serious cases, the offender used the detail to track down the women at home. In two of these, the offender committed new “acts of domestic violence”
In the three most serious cases, the offender used the detail to track down the women at home. In two of these, the offender committed new “acts of domestic violence”
New: Queensland Police unlawfully gave victims’ addresses to domestic and family violence offenders in seven cases, despite being aware of the risks for years, a report has found.
Police knew for years of risk of handing DV victims’ details to offenders
After revelations last year, the state’s Information Commissioner has found unaddressed failures of police policies and systems breached privacy laws.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
December 10, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Updated now with more detail from the report: the accidental disclosure was found to have occurred in seven cases from 2020 to 2023
In the three most serious cases, the offender used the detail to track down the women at home. In two of these, the offender committed new “acts of domestic violence”
In the three most serious cases, the offender used the detail to track down the women at home. In two of these, the offender committed new “acts of domestic violence”
New: Queensland Police unlawfully gave victims’ addresses to domestic and family violence offenders in seven cases, despite being aware of the risks for years, a report has found.
Police knew for years of risk of handing DV victims’ details to offenders
After revelations last year, the state’s Information Commissioner has found unaddressed failures of police policies and systems breached privacy laws.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
December 10, 2025 at 6:30 AM
New: Queensland Police unlawfully gave victims’ addresses to domestic and family violence offenders in seven cases, despite being aware of the risks for years, a report has found.
it’s new BT Qldpol polling day (and the third-last state parli sitting day)
Voters warming to Miles as Crisafulli’s popularity continues to slip
New polling has revealed voters’ first positive personal perception of a Labor leader in three years, despite a dip in party support.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
December 8, 2025 at 11:10 PM
it’s new BT Qldpol polling day (and the third-last state parli sitting day)
my weekend attempt to distill last week's three-days of CFMEU Inquiry evidence, alongside what we learned from the first hearing block, into ~1k words
The union code cracks that shed wider light on a CFMEU power push
Two weeks of hearings from Queensland’s inquiry into the troubled union and construction sector has seen clearer pictures begin to form – but much yet to come.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
December 8, 2025 at 7:17 AM
my weekend attempt to distill last week's three-days of CFMEU Inquiry evidence, alongside what we learned from the first hearing block, into ~1k words
some insight into the direction Queensland may go on e-bikes/scooters out of the parliamentary committee inquiry today
Riders may be forced to register electric scooters, bikes
Police also told a parliamentary inquiry that reclassifying the devices as motor vehicles would help unlock more powers to deal with their use on roads.
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
December 8, 2025 at 7:13 AM
some insight into the direction Queensland may go on e-bikes/scooters out of the parliamentary committee inquiry today