Three prominent LNP figures have been quietly added to state government boards, with the appointments announced after the close of business on Friday.
Goondiwindi mayor Lawrence Springborg was appointed to the WorkCover Queensland board.
Springborg has served as mayor since 2020. He was previously a state MP for the seats of Carnarvon, Warwick and Southern Downs. During this time, he served as leader of the National Party in Queensland, then leader of the merged state LNP.
He also served as LNP president from to 2021 to 2025.
News Corp reported this week that Springborg was being put forward to replace Governor Jeannette Young after her five-year term finishes later this year.
Speaking to media shortly after that news, Opposition Leader Steven Miles said Young had been “faultless through her entire five years” and he would have preferred her continue.
“It’s important that whoever is in office, though … recommends to the King a governor who can be trusted and to be above reproach and above politics,” Miles said.
Asked if he thought Springborg would struggle to be above politics, Miles said he would wait to see the ultimate appointment, “but clearly he is not a non-partisan figure”.
LNP candidate for Stafford Fiona Hammond was also appointed to the board alongside Springborg.
Labor’s Luke Richmond claimed victory in the Stafford byelection in May, despite the party’s primary vote trailing Hammond by nearly 10 per cent.
Matthew Crossley, Scott Armstrong, Roz White, Trent Twomey and Renee Cooper were also added as directors to the WorkCover board.
Brisbane City Councillor Krista Adams has been added to the Economic Development Queensland board, alongside Tony Sowden, Michael McNab, Emma McCaughey and Sally Mlikota.
Adams has served as a councillor for Wishart since 2008. Earlier this week, she blamed NIMBYs for the scrapping of a pickleball court expansion project in her ward.
The park was already home to three pickleball courts, and locals complained the park did not have a toilet block, and there was not enough space to support a further three.
Kim McCosker, Tracie Deegan and Abby Sommer were also appointed to the Work Health and Safety board.
Mark Paddenburg was appointed chair of the Contract Cleaning Industry (Portable Long Service Leave) Authority, and David Ford was appointed deputy chair. Neville Wilmott and Bridey McMillan-Tooth were also added as directors.
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