‘ Merit landed me Port job’
Reynolds defends his email
FORMER Townsville mayor Mike Reynolds has defended his actions after it was revealed he wrote to a Labor Minister’s private email address to apply for a “plum” government job.
Documents released to the Opposition under Right to Information show Mr Reynolds sent his CV to Mark Bailey’s mangocube6@ yahoo. c o. uk account expressing interest in a Port of Townsville director position in 2016. Ports came under Mr Bailey’s ministerial portfolio at the time.
In the email, Mr Reynolds, who was also previously a Townsville MP, said he had a “significant” history and involvement with the port, which he believed would be useful to the corporation.
Mr Reynolds was appointed to the board in December 2016 and his term is due to end on September 30, 2019. He and Mr Bailey both insist the appointment was merit based. The latest Port of Townsville annual report showed Mr Reynolds was paid $ 37,771 in the 2017- 18 financial year as a director.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington tabled a copy of the email to Mr Bailey in Parliament yesterday.
“I table documents showing yet another plum government job was awarded to a Labor mate,” she said.
Ms Frecklington said all government appointments Mr Bailey was involved in should be independently reviewed. “The Premier was elected on a promise of openness and accountability but continues to break that promise by not reviewing these appointments,” she said.
Ms Palaszczuk said all board appointments went through a cabinet process.
Mr Reynolds, who was also previously a Labor State Government Minister, said his appointment as a Port of Townsville director was “decided on merit”.
“I was chairman of the Port of Townsville board from 1990 to 1996 during a time of strong infrastructure growth and record trade,” he said. “I believe that my port and government experience is a major asset to the board.”
Mr Bailey said all board appointments were considered on “individual merit” by Cabinet.
“The emails which have been released were covered by the CCC ( Crime and Corruption Commission) investigation which closed last year, and these matters have been well reported.”
Mr Bailey was cleared by the CCC of corrupt conduct allegations in relation to his private email use.