Welcome to Brisbane Times’ Queensland public sector column, Public Circus. This week: energy healing at police HQ, rethinking the First Nations Health Office, musical chairs at CS Energy, and more.
Sometimes after a tough week serving the public, you just need your energy healed.
If you work at the Roma Street police headquarters, you might turn to the volunteers at the Zi Zai Dong Zen Association, an organisation based in Brisbane’s south that offers a good cleansing through the ancient Chinese meditation technique of qi gong.
ZZDZ gently hover their hands over the bodies of police staff, a process they say improves sleep quality, relieves stress, eliminates negative energy and even boosts immune systems and emotional stability.
Police spinners chose not to respond to direct questions about how the relationship with ZZDZ came about, but a spokesperson said it was a voluntary staff welfare program.
ZZDZ’s public co-ordinator Angela Nee said the not-for-profit had been healing cops’ qi since 2018.
“Police officers sacrifice so much and work daily in highly stressful environments to protect our communities. Providing these sessions is our way of returning their kindness and helping them relieve stress,” she said.
One participant told Circus the process is quite relaxing, and it sounds like a popular way to spend some time on a Thursday morning.
In a post from June, ZZDZ said 13 volunteers provided healing to 110 QPS staff, “with staff leaving emotionally rejuvenated and experiencing a tangible boost to their physical and mental wellbeing”.
Police health coach Jarrod Presland, in a 2024 testimonial on the group’s website, said the monthly healing, chakra initiation and coaching sessions were “extremely popular”.
“I would highly recommend ZZDZ energy healing to any QLD Government entity who is looking to provide wellbeing initiatives to their staff and would welcome any queries from anyone considering utilising the association’s services,” Presland wrote in a letter published by ZZDZ.
Maybe we could use a session in the tent! We’d certainly like to hear any tips about the wellbeing offerings at your public sector workplace.
First Nations Health Office, first downgraded, now under review
The government has denied any coordinated campaign to remove First Nations representation, but it’s been difficult not to see a trend emerging since the 2024 election.
So the Circus tent was intrigued to hear of a review of the First Nations Health Office, within director-general David Rosengren’s Department of Health.
Readers may recall recent criticism of Rosengren from one hospital and health service insider, who suggested he had misled estimates with remarks about the reason three legally required First Nations board roles were vacant.
Neither Rosengren, nor his departmental spinners, have answered our questions about the roles, citing applicant confidentiality. Our approaches this week delivered no update on how recruitment is going, but it’s said to be “nearing an end”.
Another role recently subject to a lengthy hiring process was that of the Chief First Nations Health Officer, after it was vacated by inaugural figure, Yalangi and Tagalaka woman Haylene Grogan.
January saw job ads go up for the gig – downgraded from its previous deputy director-general level in July last year, as previously reported by the ABC – with Wakka Wakka and South Sea Islander woman Samantha Wild named as Grogan’s replacement in July.
Wild is said to be considering opportunities to improve the operating model of the office, which issued its first report under Grogan last September. That report noted a continued focus by the department on increasing representation and authority of First Nations leadership.
In a statement, a Queensland Health spokesperson told Circus the work had been kicked off from inside the unit, which now reports “operationally” to deputy director-general for system policy and planning Peta Bryant – currently filling in as Townsville HHS chief executive – and “strategically” to Rosengren.
“To ensure we continue to deliver healthcare that drives meaningful outcomes for mob and communities across Queensland, an internal strategic review has been initiated from within the First Nations Health Office.”
This was said to be a regular practice, part of good governance and organisational effectiveness, and something which would “help ensure the First Nations Health Office continues to provide strategic leadership and maximise its contribution to better health equity and outcomes”.
We reached out to Wild independently of the department, but didn’t hear back.
Musical chairs at the top of CS Energy
Less than six months since the abrupt and still unexplained departure of Brian Gillespie from state-owned CS Energy, last week delivered news of his formal replacement as chief executive.
And who did the board land on? None other than one of their own, former Santos GLNG Gladstone chief Stephen Harty – a director with CS Energy since 2023.
The government-owned corporation was said to have been eyeing Harty back in June, after cycling through three bosses in as many years after explosions at its part-owned Callide coal power station, a run-in with Treasurer David Janetzki and $1 billion lawsuit that ruffled feathers at estimates.
Announcing Gillespie’s departure back on March 30, the company said chair – and former chief – Tony Bellas would temporarily serve as executive chair until a new appointment was made.
So it was to Circus’ surprise that last week’s statement came with quotes from “acting chair” Jeff Seeney, the former LNP deputy premier who also chairs state-owned Sunwater.
A check of the CS Energy website confirmed Bellas ended up taking a “temporary leave of absence” from his board duties, with Seeney in the big chair since April 9.
Why the change of plans? We sought some clarity from Seeney and Bellas’ media team, and were advised by a company spokesperson it was about avoiding “any corporate governance issues that could arise from the combined role of Acting CEO and Executive Chair”.
Harty starts on 28 September.
A familiar face joins the TEQ board
We’d gone at least a couple of Fridays without news of new appointments on a government board.
That was until 2.30pm on the final day of last week, when Tourism Minister Andrew Powell lobbed a media release with changes to the one steering Tourism and Events Queensland.
Out of the chair after one term is nature-based and Indigenous tourism leader Grant Hunt AM, replaced with former Tourism Australia managing director John O’Sullivan.
Also out, some 12 months ahead of the end of their terms, are Karen Bolinger, Stephanie Parkin, Rob Hudson and Brian Hennessy.
Among those replacing them is former Brisbane deputy mayor and still-serving Holland Park ward LNP councillor Krista Adams, who announced last year she won’t contest the next council election.
At the time, she also stepped back from her deputy mayor and civic cabinet role – and the topped-up pay packets that come with them.
But not to worry: in the past three months, Adams has picked up not only the TIQ board gig (worth about $15,000 in 2024-25) but also a spot on the Economic Development Queensland board (worth more than $80,000 in 2024-25).
Others landing on the TIQ board include Jacob Cassidy, Roderic Rees and Damien Massingham – a former Tourism Noosa chief executive and LNP preselection candidate.
We might hear more news from Adams before her council term is up – given City Hall’s habit of having outgoing councillors hand over the baton within a year of an election.
No fireworks for you
As far as Riverfire views go, 1 William Street has one of the best. So it’s no surprise it was a hot ticket, with public servants offered the opportunity to watch the show from the Tower of Power.
Not every public servant was invited. According to an email from acting DPC Deputy Director General Jaime Blackburn, only those who serve from 1 William Street in their 9-to-5 could get access to the spots.
Once accepted, they could bring their families (up to four visitors, in some cases) along to the strictly no-booze viewing.
Workers were asked to donate $20 to the Starlight Children’s Foundation in exchange for the privilege, and spots on some levels were gobbled up in under an hour.
A government spinner said 1 William Street employees were allowed to attend the floor they work on during Riverfire, as has been the case for years.
Another reason for ladder-climbers to try and get up a few rungs before next year.
Have a curiosity for the Circus tent? Email us on m.dennien@nine.com.au or james.hall@nine.com.au. For more security, sing out with a non-work device and network via Signal (mattdennien.15 or here) and mattdennien@protonmail.com.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
From our partners
Read the full article here
