Article: John Mickel under fire over Queensland Rail's swanky dinner

[ozbob]

All organisations need to have their corporate PR functions and the like.

The timing of this article is perhaps a bit unfortunate, considering the publicity the past weeks particularly with congestion issues.  The botched go card roll out and other signs of a lack of attention to detail in the transport portfolio are clear.

RAIL BoT has always argued that a dedicated Minister for Transport (or Public Transport) is highly desirable in such a demanding portfolio.

From Courier Mail click here!


John Mickel under fire over Queensland Rail's swanky dinner

John Mickel under fire over Queensland Rail's swanky dinner
Article from: The Courier-Mail

By Steven Wardill

August 30, 2008 12:00am

QUEENSLAND Rail bosses will tonight shout themselves and their closest comrades an opulent $30,000 Riverfire function at taxpayers' expense.

While thousands pack crowded Citytrains and jostle for a decent vantage point, 60 executives and guests of the troubled State Government company will be wining and dining at a swanky soiree at high-end Asian eatery Siana on Eagle St, which markets itself as "the place to be no matter what your mood".

The Courier-Mail has obtained a copy of the menu selected by QR's bosses, which includes a selection of choice canapes, such as fois gras crumble with mango, and a six-course degustation menu, including lamb with a smoky aubergine relish.

It is understood guests will be served on arrival with Krug champagne  which retails from $200 to $3000 a bottle and was favoured by the late Queen Mother, followed by shots of Suntory whisky. The revelation has again put pressure on state Transport Minister John Mickel, who was clueless about the function after being left off the guest list.

In a statement he admitted the function was "unacceptable" and said he had asked for a "please explain".

"I am sure the many passengers on QR's services find it hard to understand how this sort of function represents value for money," he said.

QR chief Lance Hockridge, who will attend, refused to be interviewed. But a QR spokeswoman said it was not the company's first Riverfire function, the event would "benefit the people of Queensland" and they would do it again.

QR refused to release the guest list despite Premier Anna Bligh recently committing the State Government to a new era of openness.

There is an array of function options at Siana, however the one booked by QR exceeds the $20,000 Monday to Thursday exclusive hire cost. Siana describes itself as ``uniquely Asian'' but is acknowledged as one of the best spots to impress out-of-towners with the glamorous delights of Brisbane riverside dining.

Perched high above the riverside boardwalk, it offers panoramic views from the Story Bridge to South Brisbane.

The revelations have prompted Opposition claims that Mr Mickel is not up to the job.

The event follows a growing list of transport issues that have landed Mr Mickel and the State Government in the news in the past 12 months for all the wrong reasons.

Senior Labor figures were already questioning whether Mr Mickel deserved his Cabinet post. However, he is unlikely to retire voluntarily as he needs to serve another term to qualify for a life-long pension.

Mr Mickel, who spent yesterday in his Logan electorate, was too busy to be interviewed, according to his ministerial office staff.

But Opposition transport spokeswoman Fiona Simpson said the Minister had "presided over embarrassment after embarrassment" since his elevation to the portfolio.

"It's hard to believe Mr Mickel was supposedly in the running for the deputy premier spot when he's performed so badly as a minister," she said.

Ms Simpson said the Transport Minister should be telling Queensland who was attending the Riverfire event and how much it was going to cost taxpayers.

"This fireworks feast is symptomatic of a State Government that's got its priorities wrong and thinks it can do what it likes after 10 years in power," she said.

Mr Mickel was severely embarrassed in April after The Courier-Mail revealed members of the Labor Party's transport committee had commandeered a Citytrain for a personal tour.

The now infamous "gravy train affair" was orchestrated by one of Mr Mickel's closest advisers, who was forced to take a pay cut during the fallout. The Minister consistently denied any knowledge of the event.

There was also the bungled introduction of the public transport Go Card, during which he wrongly blamed bus drivers for a technology error, sparking protests and an apology.

His office also has been caught out trying to cover-up train cancellation figures and the international travel costs of his public servants.

[mufreight]

Once again another unacceptiable effort by government staffers in Minister Mickel's portfolio and he knows nothing.
That senior Labour party officials are now questioning if Minister Mickel is up to the job is a little late as the long suffering cattle class commuters have known it for some time but now with an impending election the Labour Party is now starting to realise that all of those commuters vote and that this inept Minister in now a liability.
That he must serve another term to get his nose in the gold plated pension trough is of little concern to the long suffering commuters who would be subjected to another term of his ineptitude.
The Premier must be aware of the disatification of the electorate and remove this weak link in her government before the voters of this state remove her government

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Qld Rail axes lavish $30,000 dinner

Qld Rail axes lavish $30,000 dinner
Nadine McGrath | August 30, 2008 - 1:44PM

Queensland Rail (QR) bosses have been forced to cancel a controversial $30,000 bill-the-taxpayer Riverfire function tonight at a ritzy Brisbane restaurant.

Guests and 60 executives of the troubled state government company were to dine at Asian restaurant Siana, enjoying one of best vantage points in Brisbane to watch the annual fireworks display.

An embarrassed Queensland Transport Minister John Mickel, who was not invited to the event, was first notified of the function by a journalist yesterday.

Today he acted as QR's party pooper and pressured chief Lance Hockridge to cancel the event.

''This strikes as being lavish and accordingly this morning I have said to the CEO of Queensland Rail 'Abandon the corporate sponsorship and show the public we are dedicated to looking after the public','' Mr Mickel told reporters in Brisbane.

The cancelled QR Riverfire function comes after other controversies to hit QR and Mr Mickel's transport portfolio.

The Crime and Misconduct Commission cleared him in May after a QR train was used for a controversial Labor Party trip, which has been dubbed the ''gravy train'' scandal.

There has also been criticism about overcrowded trains, security, breakdowns and trains not running on time.

''I'm angry about it (the event) because I have said to them in a climate of restructuring where people are going through pain and paying customers are each morning waiting for trains you can't be seen to be lavish,'' he said.
State opposition treasury spokesman Tim Nicholls said the latest controversy showed Mr Mickel was not up to the job.

''The minister seems to have trouble getting on top of this portfolio - he's had trouble with the gravy train affair, Go Card ... he does not really know much is what going on in his portfolio,'' Mr Nicholls said.

''At a time when we have 20 per cent overloading QR should be focused on delivering services and making sure we have enough trains and that they are running on time - rather than holding gala events for their executives.''

The late cancellation could mean taxpayers may still be hit with a hefty bill.

''They've made a booking and cancelled at the last minute so how much of the $30,000 allegedly spent on this dinner, champagne and fine food will be refunded?,'' he said.

''QR is a government owned business and should be about delivering services taxpayers of Queensland not big-noting themselves to the top end of town.''

Mr Nicholls suspects other government-owned corporations may be holding lavish functions for Riverfire tonight.

''I think the government should come clean and tell us what government owned corporations are doing tonight and how much they are spending and whether they are really focused on delivering services for taxpayers or good times for bureaucrats,'' he said.

A QR spokesman said they had been told to direct all inquiries about the cancelled event to Mr Mickel's office.

Comment has been sought from the restaurant. Mr Mickel's office has not said if a cancellation fee was paid to the eatery.

AAP

[ozbob]

Media Release 30 August 2008

SEQ:  Suggestions to ease the immediate crisis on QR Citytrain Commuter Cattle Class Congestion Crisis

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has suggested a number of immediate actions to ease the commuter 'cattle class' congestion crisis on QR Citytrain at peak.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The past few weeks has seen an outpouring of rail passenger congestion grief in local media.  We watch on with a degree of bemusement at the non responses by the Minister for Transport and the TransLink Transit Authority, but are not surprised.  RAIL Back On Track members have been putting forward common-sense solutions for years with little acknowledgement by the authorities.  The same authorities that have created the mess that is public transport in south-east Queensland."

"Whilst some dine, we continue to brainstorm and project our concerns for our community."

"The first thing that needs to be done, preferably this week, is to add some early peak services on the Caboolture and Ipswich line.  One additional 6 car rail service will comfortably pick up 800 passengers."

"Simultaneously introduce off peak and early and late peak discounts on the go card of 30%.  This will encourage some passengers to move away from the peak overloads, and will act as a further incentive for go card uptake.  As the Minister for Transport commented in parliament this past week, the go card does have the potential to allow for real time meaningful load data collection.  This will in turn allow further fine tuning of timetables."

"A community education program with an emphasis on moving down aisles and away from doorways, and where possible spread travelling times needs to get going (2).  Get major employers on side and encourage flexible work hours for employees where possible as well."

"These are some immediate actions to ease the crisis."

"Clearly QR Passenger services needs more crew and trains, and in time that will occur.  The present urban and interurban timetable needs an urgent review.  There are many improvements possible, for example why are there express trains on the Ferny Grove at peak?  The line is only 16 kilometres long for goodness sake.  Express patterns on that line just leads to gaps in the timetable and overloads, and congestion bottle necks at key junction stations!"

"Inner city loop services can take up a lot of inner city congestion and allow the long haul services to run part express.  Everyone wins!"

"Will we see some real leadership?  Or is more attention given to dinner menus? (3)"

References:

1.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?board=19.0

2.   RAIL Back On Track Media Release 22 Nov 2006 - Move away from the door!  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=96.0

3.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1278

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

The point Mr Nicholls makes in the above comments in the Brisbanetimes article that other Government owned corporations have no doubt their own RiverFire Extravaganzas in place is a valid one. 

If QR cancels, they all should cancel?

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Queensland Rail cancels $30,000 Riverfire dinner

Queensland Rail cancels $30,000 Riverfire dinner
Article from: AAP

August 30, 2008 03:25pm

QUEENSLAND Rail has been forced to cancel a controversial $30,000 Riverfire function tonight at a ritzy Brisbane restaurant but taxpayers may still have to foot the bill.

Guests and 60 executives of the State Government transport company Queensland Rail were to dine at Asian restaurant Siana, enjoying one of best vantage points in Brisbane to watch the annual fireworks display.

An embarrassed Queensland Transport Minister John Mickel, who was not invited to the event, was first notified of the function by a Courier-Mail journalist yesterday.

Today he acted as QR's party pooper and pressured chief Lance Hockridge to cancel the event.

"This strikes as being lavish and accordingly this morning I have said to the CEO of Queensland Rail, 'abandon the corporate sponsorship and show the public we are dedicated to looking after the public'," Mr Mickel told reporters in Brisbane.

The cancelled QR Riverfire function comes after other controversies to hit QR and Mr Mickel's transport portfolio.

The Crime and Misconduct Commission cleared him in May after a QR train was used for a controversial Labor Party trip, which has been dubbed the "gravy train" scandal.

There has also been criticism about overcrowded trains, security, breakdowns and trains not running on time.

"I'm angry about it (the event) because I have said to them in a climate of restructuring where people are going through pain and paying customers are each morning waiting for trains you can't be seen to be lavish," he said.

State opposition treasury spokesman Tim Nicholls said the latest controversy showed Mr Mickel was not up to the job.

"The Minister seems to have trouble getting on top of this portfolio - he's had trouble with the gravy train affair, Go Card ... he does not really know much is what going on in his portfolio," Mr Nicholls said.

"At a time when we have 20 per cent overloading, QR should be focused on delivering services and making sure we have enough trains and that they are running on time - rather than holding gala events for their executives."

The late cancellation could mean taxpayers may still be hit with a hefty bill.

"They've made a booking and cancelled at the last minute so how much of the $30,000 allegedly spent on this dinner, champagne and fine food will be refunded?," he said.

"QR is a government-owned business and should be about delivering services taxpayers of Queensland not big-noting themselves to the top end of town."

Mr Nicholls suspects other government-owned corporations may be holding lavish functions for Riverfire tonight.

"I think the government should come clean and tell us what government-owned corporations are doing tonight and how much they are spending and whether they are really focused on delivering services for taxpayers or good times for bureaucrats," he said.

A QR spokesman said they had been told to direct all inquiries about the cancelled event to Mr Mickel's office.

Comment has been sought from the restaurant. Mr Mickel's office has not said if a cancellation fee was paid to the eatery.

[mufreight]

A new trend?  The latest failure by the Minister who knows nothing about what transpires in a department under his stewardship would seem to be if the public finds out about something that has adverse connetations then first deny it and then if all else fail cancel.
This is the first cancelation for a QR event or operation by Minister Mickel that has been to the public benefit, must be an election coming and the Senior Labour officials and Premier Bligh have suddenly realised that commuters vote, one would hope that the next move will be to shunt this non performing minster to the scrap yard before he does any further damage to the government.
Based on his performance to this time if you were a commuter traveling cattle class would you support the present administration and this less than functional Minister?

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Taxpayer funded junkets over: govt

Taxpayer funded junkets over: govt
August 30, 2008 - 4:50PM

The Queensland Government has assured taxpayers no more departments or state-owned companies are holding lavish parties to celebrate Brisbane's Riverfire event tonight.

The assurance comes after the state-government owned Queensland Rail (QR) was forced to cancel a $30,000 bill-the-taxpayer Riverfire function at a ritzy Brisbane restaurant.

Guests and 60 executives of the troubled state government company were to dine at Asian restaurant Siana, enjoying one of best vantage points in Brisbane to watch the annual fireworks display.

An embarrassed Queensland Transport Minister John Mickel, who was not invited to the event, today acted as QR's party pooper and pressured chief Lance Hockridge to cancel it.

"This strikes as being lavish and accordingly this morning I have said to the CEO of Queensland Rail 'Abandon the corporate sponsorship and show the public we are dedicated to looking after the public'," Mr Mickel told reporters in Brisbane.

State opposition treasury spokesman Tim Nicholls suspected other government-owned corporations may be holding glitzy functions for Riverfire tonight.

"I think the government should come clean and tell us what government owned corporations are doing tonight and how much they are spending and whether they are really focused on delivering services for taxpayers or good times for bureaucrats," he said.

But a spokesman for Premier Anna Bligh said no other functions were being held by government departments or companies for Riverfire.

However, the spokesman conceded the Queensland Government, along with Brisbane City Council, were major sponsors of the Riverfestival event in which Riverfire is part.

He said the festival was hosting a "modest" function at the Boardwalk Bar and Bistro in Eagle Street.

The late cancellation of the QR event could mean taxpayers may still be hit with a hefty bill.

"They've made a booking and cancelled at the last minute so how much of the $30,000 allegedly spent on this dinner, champagne and fine food will be refunded?," Mr Nicholls said.

Mr Mickel would not divulge how big a deposit QR had paid to the restaurant, which would not comment on their big cancellation.

The cancelled QR Riverfire function comes after other controversies that have hit QR and Mr Mickel's transport portfolio.

The Crime and Misconduct Commission cleared him in May after a QR train was used for a controversial Labor Party trip, which has been dubbed the "gravy train" scandal.

There has also been criticism about overcrowded trains, security, breakdowns and trains not running on time.

Mr Nicholls said the latest controversy showed Mr Mickel was not up to the job.

"The minister seems to have trouble getting on top of this portfolio - he's had trouble with the gravy train affair, Go Card ... he does not really know much is what going on in his portfolio," Mr Nicholls said.

Riverfire starts in Brisbane at 7pm (AEST) with a choreographed firework display and RAAF F-111 flying low over the city.

AAP

[stephenk]

Whilst on the subject of Riverfire, I thought that the service QR put on to ferry people home was pretty good. The Ferny Grove Line had an all stations train every 10mins immediately after the event which coped well with the crowds (the train I was on had about 10 people standing per car). If only QR could run a all stations train every 10mins during the peaks!

However the journey there was nightmare, thanks to all lights strobing in all cars (I was in EM183). I'm amazed that no one had an epileptic fit on the train. My wife had to close her eyes for the entire journey. If only QR had paid $30,000 on maintenance rather than on a posh dinner that never happened!

[ozbob]

Thanks for the report Stephen.  At least this year the trains on the FG line were running!!   

Regards
Bob

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Queensland Rail boss escapes discipline over Riverfire party

Queensland Rail boss escapes discipline over Riverfire party
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Patrick Lion

September 01, 2008 12:00am

TRANSPORT Minister John Mickel is refusing to discipline the QR boss despite him blowing at least $15,000 on a cancelled Riverfire function.

Instead, Queensland Rail chief executive Lance Hockridge will receive nothing more than a letter in the mail from the head of Mr Mickel's department telling him not to organise a similarly inappropriate event again.

The Courier-Mail revealed at the weekend QR had planned a swanky $30,000 function for 60 guests at high-end CBD restaurant Siana to watch the fireworks on Saturday night.

While commuters packed trains to get to the festivities, guests were to be served expensive Krug champagne on arrival before canapes and a six-course degustation menu.

However, Mr Mickel cancelled it at the 11th hour following public uproar, with the restaurant forced to close on one of the busiest nights of the year.

Two days after The Courier-Mail informed his office about the event, Mr Mickel was still clueless about most of the details yesterday as the Opposition demanded his sacking.

Mr Mickel did not know any details about the bill, whether QR had held similar events previously or whether the group's board had attended.

He instead insisted he had asked the restaurant to serve other customers and settle the difference of the bill.

"I don't know what, if any, money was leftover from it," Mr Mickel said.

However, the restaurant's website states the hirer of the venue will be liable for half of the bill if a booking is cancelled less than 14 days before the event.

The Government is also still refusing to release the full guest list and instead named an array of organisations whose executives were expected to attend, including Leighton Holdings, BHP Billiton, Mitsubishi, Macarthur Coal, Cement Australia and the Queensland Resources Council.

Despite claims the event was fostering networking in QR's freight business, the executive responsible for daily commuter passenger services, Paul Scurrah, was also invited.

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg last night said this was another example of Mr Mickel not being across his portfolio.

"He is spending a fair bit of time in the dark," Mr Springborg said. "He is either not across his portfolio or does know and is not telling us. Either way, he is on a sticky wicket."

Ms Bligh earlier declared full support for Mr Mickel and said he would provide answers.

"There will always be difficulties from time to time but I expect my team to manage those difficulties and that is what they are doing," Ms Bligh said.

However, Mr Mickel failed to answer most questions while defending Mr Hockridge for his work in changing QR's culture in areas such as customer satisfaction, management and safety.

"I am totally committed to the job," Mr Mickel said of speculation about his future.

[mufreight]

Another example of the Minister for duplicity knowing nothing about what goes on in his portfolio.  Obviously Mr Mickel is incompetent to control his Ministry and Labour Party leaders and the Premier should consider that the commuters vote and their votes might be more important to the Governments survival in the next election than another term for a nonperforming and seemingly inept minister so he can get his nose deeper into the public purse when he retires, he should be sidelined NOW together with the QR executitive officer and the staffers and advisors who organised and authorised this snouts in the trough event.

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

QR boss defends $30k Riverfire party

QR boss defends $30k Riverfire party
Jessica Marszalek | September 1, 2008 - 11:08AM

A $30,000 luxury party that Queensland Rail (QR) had planned to host for clients at the weekend was a legitimate business event, the transport provider's boss says.

The state government-owned QR was forced to call off the function at ritzy Brisbane restaurant Siana, where guests were to be treated to food, champagne and a top vantage point for the city's annual fireworks display, Riverfire.

But an embarrassed Queensland Transport Minister John Mickel, who was not invited to the event, pressured QR chief Lance Hockridge to cancel it after the cost to taxpayers was criticised in the media.

Mr Hockridge today said he understood that as the head of a government-owned corporation he was accountable to the public, but it was also his job to grow its freight business.

As well as operating the state's passenger rail services, QR also ran a large freight company in a highly competitive field and the planned event had been intended for leading freight customers.

He said a competitor was coming into Queensland's coal freight business, and QR was trying to build up its market share interstate.

"And it was in that context that we were trying to have a function for our major freight customers," Mr Hockridge told ABC Radio.

"These were the heads of a number of our biggest customers."

He said the guests represented major clients for QR.

"When you think about the scale of the revenues in that freight business you'd appreciate that every contract is worth millions of dollars either to be won or to be lost, and so much of our ability to be able to maintain and build our business depends upon our ability to be able to work closely with our customers, to have a personal relationship with them," he said.

Cancelling the event "hasn't done us any favours" in the eyes of corporate clients, he said, adding QR would now drop plans for such events in the future.

He said he was sorry for the public reaction, but insisted he was trying to make a profit to return to the public.

Mr Hockridge said QR was still working out how much it owed Siana after the last-minute cancellation.

AAP

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Mickel 'red hot' over rail boss' defence of party

Mickel 'red hot' over rail boss' defence of party
September 1, 2008 - 4:22PM

Queensland Transport Minister John Mickel will return from a regional cabinet meeting early to confront a rail boss over his defence of a $30,000 function.

The state government-owned Queensland Rail (QR) had booked a ritzy Brisbane restaurant for a Saturday night function where guests were to be treated to food, champagne and a top vantage point of the city's annual Riverfire fireworks.

But an embarrassed Mr Mickel, who was not invited to the event, pressured rail chief Lance Hockridge to cancel the function after the taxpayer pricetag was criticised in the media.

Mr Hockridge today said he understood that as the head of a government-owned corporation he was accountable to the public, but it was also his job to grow its freight business.

While QR ran the state's passenger services, it also ran a large freight company in a highly competitive field, he said.

A competitor was coming into Queensland's coal business and QR was trying to build up its market share interstate.

"And it was in that context that we were trying to have a function for our major freight customers," Mr Hockridge told ABC Radio.

"These were the heads of a number of our biggest customers."

He said cancelling the event "hasn't done us any favours" in the eyes of corporate clients and QR had been forced to cancel similar future events.

Mr Mickel, in Mackay for a community cabinet meeting today, said he was "red hot" angry - and would return to Brisbane early to confront Mr Hockridge.

"There is a culture in QR and I think the taxpayers have a right on my behalf that this changes," he told reporters.

"They shouldn't underestimate how angry I am on behalf of taxpayers, because I'm red hot about this."

The pair are due to meet late this afternoon.

AAP

[ozbob]

 

[stephenk]

Given that the state government is probably responsible for more of the public transport mess than QR, then Mr Mickel had better watch what he says in this meeting.

[mufreight]

The Government is elected to provide the essential services for the electorate, this means infrastructure and the staff necessicary to provide the levels of service needed.
QR while it tries to do what it can has failings one of which is a lack of positive direction from the Government and in turn the Minister.
The Riverside function might be able to be justified as a customer relations exercise but one must question the standards and costs, no doubt it was to be a gold class event but it was way over the top considering the standards of the service provided to commuters.
That the Minister for know nothing once again claims he was uninformed about this event which under the present circumstances was ill advised, is a further example of his lack of control of the departments in his portfolio and all his bluster is more than a little late.
QR senior management would not have been embarrased if it had not been proposed or if it had been to a less lavish scale.
The question arises was the gold plated nosh up to impress clients or an excuse for a number of overpaid staffers to have a night out on the public purse.

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Queensland Rail boss cancels rugby corporate box

Queensland Rail boss cancels rugby corporate box
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Steven Wardill and Patrick Lion

September 02, 2008 12:00am

FUN-LOVING Queensland Rail bosses have been forced to cancel another soiree as commuters vented outrage at the state-owned corporation's services.

Besieged QR chief executive Lance Hockridge yesterday canned the company's plans for a corporate box at Suncorp Stadium on September 13 for the Bledisloe Cup rugby match between Australia and New Zealand.

The cancellation came as QR began a review of all corporate and customer events in the wake of the Riverfire function fiasco.

The Courier-Mail revealed on Saturday QR's plans for a $30,000 function for its executives and guests complete with expensive French champagne, canapes and a six-course degustation menu.

An embarrassed Transport Minister John Mickel was forced to scrap the event at the 11th hour, leaving QR to cover the cancellation costs of at least $15,000.

Ahead of a meeting with Mr Mickel late yesterday, Mr Hockridge said a decision had been made to cancel the corporate box booking for the Wallabies v All Blacks rugby union Test.

"There was no charge for the booking because the corporate box was part of our entitlement for the QR Reds sponsorship," he said.

"All catering expenses for this function will be recovered at no cost to QR."

However, the cancellation is another blow for the Government which is under fire by the Opposition for allowing QR's "unfettered hospitality culture allowed to flourish".

"While public transport has gone from bad to worse in Queensland, the Beattie/Bligh Government has allowed QR to develop this lavish culture," Opposition transport spokeswoman Fiona Simpson said.

Angry commuters yesterday inundated couriermail.com.au with adverse comments about the services they received.

Some complained about their ability to get to and from the Riverfire function while others said their regular services had deteriorated and become over-crowded.

This came as QR was forced to leave its busy Mitchelton station unmanned yesterday for several hours after a staff member became ill.

Premier Anna Bligh said she understood some commuters did not have perfect public transport for Riverfire but QR did have a tough task transporting 600,000 people within only a few hours.

[stephenk]

If this party was legitimate, then why didn't Mr Hockridge inform Mr Mickel about the event beforehand? Otherwise the embarrassment for both sides would not have happened.

[ozbob]

I agree Stephen.  As I suggested at the commencement of this thread "All organisations need to have their corporate PR functions and the like."

It seems to me that flagging this beforehand as a corporate function with a purpose would have been smart!

Inviting Mr Mickel might have been smarter! 

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Queensland Rail hiring new party planner after Riverfire farce

Queensland Rail hiring new party planner after Riverfire farce
Article from: The Courier-Mail

By Steven Wardill

September 03, 2008 12:00am

QUEENSLAND Rail is hiring a new party planner as the fallout continues from the cancelled Riverfire soiree at the weekend, and "Gravy Train" scandal.

According to the job description, the role involved "managing a large portfolio of community, corporate and staff events".

And fun-loving QR bosses have been restricted to partying in their own boardroom just as the plans were afoot to expand the team which organises their busy social calendar.

Angry Transport Minister John Mickel yesterday said he had ordered QR management to curb its wanton ways and ensure all hospitality met with community expectations.

The new restriction comes after The Courier-Mail revealed that QR bosses had planned a $30,000 Riverfire function which Mr Mickel was forced to cancel at the 11th hour.

The function at high-end Asian restaurant Siana was to include expensive French champagne on arrival for the 60 executives and guests, canapes, followed by a six-course degustation menu.

Plans to take a corporate box at the Bledisloe Cup rugby union Test in Brisbane on September 13 also have been scrapped amid the fallout.

Mr Mickel said he had warned QR chair John Prescott and chief executive Lance Hockridge at a meeting that the company needed to adhere to the existing hospitality guidelines.

"My message to them was clear - a modest level of hospitality is acceptable but it must be in line with the community's expectations," he said.

"Appropriate corporate hospitality should occur in a boardroom setting.

"I have asked them to review their future events and activities in line with this."

However, Mr Mickel's warning came as QR was in the final stages of hiring a new corporate events and sponsorship adviser on an "attractive remuneration package".

Mr Hockridge defended the eight-member corporate events team, saying members worked predominantly on community and staff-related events, while a smaller proportion of their time was dedicated to business and transport industry-oriented functions.

"These staff support QR's corporate, community and staff events and sponsorships, with a focus on safety," he said.

Mr Hockridge said the corporate events role that is in the process of being filled was previously a full-time position, but the contract would now be restricted to six months, subject to a review.

Other QR events now being reviewed in the wake of the Riverfire fiasco include the annual apprentice awards and staff first-aid finals.

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

QR pays $24,500 for Riverfire party that never happened

QR pays $24,500 for Riverfire party that never happened
Article from: The Courier-Mail

By Steven Wardill

September 03, 2008 10:20am

FUN-LOVING Queensland Rail bosses have cost taxpayers $24,500 for their cancelled swanky Riverfire function.
Besieged Queensland Rail chief executive Lance Hockridge has announced the State Government-owned corporation has come to a "commercial" arrangement with the venue of the function, high-end Asian eatery Siana.

The final bill for the controversial function, called off at the 11th hour by Transport Minister John Mickel, was down from the original cost of $30,000.

"This takes account of the late cancellation, and the fact that food had been purchased and significant preparation had been done," Mr Hockridge said.

"We are advised the restaurant took the decision not to open for alternate business for the evening."

The soiree for 60 executives and guests of the trouble corporation was to include expensive Krug champagne on arrival, canap?s and a six-course degusation menu.

Guests were from companies that do business with QR?s freight arm however the company and the State Government have repeatedly refused to release their names.

QR has now been forced to conduct a review of all its hospitality with plans for a coporate box at the Bledisloe Cup at Suncorp Statium on September 13 already cancelled.

"More widely we are now reviewing all corporate and event expenditure to evaluate its benefit to QR and its business," Mr Hockridge said.

"We had already begun scaling back hospitality and we will now be looking at areas where we may reap further savings in relation to events that may incorporate accommodation and travel expenses.

"This review will allow us to more than compensate for the loss incurred on Saturday evening."

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Anna Bligh spoils the party after Queensland Rail fiasco

Anna Bligh spoils the party after Queensland Rail fiasco
Article from: The Courier-Mail

By Steven Wardill

September 04, 2008 12:00am

THE party is over for Queensland's Government-owned corporations.

The fun-loving antics of Queensland Rail's mandarins, which have caused a major headache for the Queensland State Government, have prompted a complete rethink of corporate hospitality rules.

The Government has written to all the chairs and chiefs of its GOCs warning them to curb excessive entertaining and prepare for a new edict on wining and dining.

It comes after The Courier-Mail revealed QR was planning a $30,000 Riverfire function for 60 people complete with French champagne, canapes and six-course degustation menu that was cancelled at the 11th hour by the Government.

In a letter to corporation bosses yesterday, the Government said it was rewriting the guidelines for corporate hospitality, which they would have to adhere to in the near future.

Corporation bosses were warned hospitality had to "clearly demonstrate a commercial benefit" for the organisation and the Government.

"This requires the relevant decision makers planning such events having sufficient experience and training to make judgment calls as to the reasonableness of the event and the event's capacity to comply with acceptable community standards," it said.

Premier Anna Bligh said the QR function was unacceptable and new rules were needed.

"The chairs and chief executive officers of the GOCs should be able to make these judgments to get the balance right," she said.

"But this event by QR shows the Government needs to set the parameters in place so they are beyond doubt."

The crackdown will affect QR, energy companies like Ergon and Energex and port authorities.

It came as QR yesterday revealed the final bill for the cancelled function at riverfront restaurant Siana was $24,500.

QR chief Lance Hockridge said the cost took into account the late cancellation and the fact the food had been purchased and prepared.

He said QR was reviewing possible cuts to its corporate and events spending.

[mufreight]

A number of points arise from the Premiers response.
Obviously the first is that the Minister is inept and his continued lack of knowledge of what occours in his out of control transport ministry confirms this,
From the exhorbatant cancellation fee obviously QR did not seek the lowest tender or terms for this event which would make sense in business practice, so who organised this effort, was it the same incompetent who organised the ill famed Gravy train for the Ministers Labour mates.
It is obvious that the government is now hurting and concious of electoral backlash as a consequence of this and other Ministers ineptitude and Ministeral excesses and departmental failures to provide the services and infrastructure that the government was elected to provide.
To have any chance of surviving the government will have to remove this nonperforming Minister and sideline a transport administration that seemingly has no sense of prirority, a dedicated and commited transport minister would be a good start and a cleanout of the QR board might help, then some immediate, simple, practical, cost effective, and sustainable  action to ease, if not resolve long term, the transport pain for the long suffering commuters (voters) of the most populated area of this state.
The business practices of the Resturant are excelent as will be their bottom line, one must question what became of this food that had been prepared and the question arises as to the list of those who it was proposed to attend, in particular the QR and government staffers if not a complete list just for the public knowledge.
So many questions arise, so few answers provided.

[glossyblack]

Surely the Premier and Mickel should butt out of QRs  business.
After all, they hired experienced senior execs and marketers to run the railway.
Cliff

[mufreight]

Although they pay heaps of peanuts to the QR hierarchy it seems they have only attracted a collection of somewhat greedy and grasping monkeys who have lost sight of (or possibly maybe never knew) the purpose of their appointment.
The lack of effective direction from the top (Government) ill advised advisers and shortsighted number crunchers fosters this culture and mind set of it dosent matter the taxpayers and voters of this state can afford it at least until the next election.

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Wining and dining just part of the ticket

Wining and dining just part of the ticket
Article from: The Courier-Mail

James McCullough

September 06, 2008 12:00am

NEW Queensland Rail chief Lance Hockridge did not give a $30,000 business dinner a second thought.
When he picked up the phone and authorised a restaurant booking for 60 major coal clients at a chic Brisbane restaurant to watch Riverfire last Saturday night he had no idea what was to follow.

Mr Hockridge, a career BHP executive who has been in the big seat at QR for barely 10 months, was continuing a tradition of hosting one major annual function to thank customers who contributed the bulk of the rail group's $3.1 billion yearly revenue.

He had invited executives from companies such as BHP Billiton, Leighton Holdings, Mitsubishi, Macarthur Coal, Cement Australia and the Queensland Resources Council.

What happened on the morning of the proposed party stunned Mr Hockridge and senior rail executives.

A report in The Courier-Mail about the staging of the rail party, highlighting an exclusive six-course degustation menu with Krug champagne at a total cost of $30,000, sent QR and the Bligh Government into a spin.

It resulted in QR's senior executives being forced to frantically phone the 60 guests personally, apologise and inform them the function had been cancelled.

"You had the undignified situation where the top executives of QR were ringing around their best customers saying the event was off," one invited guest said.

The cancellation, under pressure from the Transport Minister, John Mickel, was a rude shock to Mr Hockridge and his chairman, experienced former BHP chief John Prescott.

Both men are used to running their own show in the highly competitive multibillion-dollar resources industry.

Mr Hockridge issued a lengthy and uncharacteristic apology to taxpayers for the extravagance and conceded he crossed the line. "It is a difficult tightrope to walk between passenger services and our freight business," he said.

Ironically, the cancellation of the event still cost QR and taxpayers $24,500, leading many to wonder why the minister didn't let it proceed.

The incident has now raised serious questions about ministerial interference, the role of the government-owned corporations and national competition.

It has also triggered a major debate in Queensland political and business circles over the past week about the merits and pitfalls of staging such a lavish function.

Long-serving company director Jim Kennedy, who has sat on at least 16 federal and state statutory authorities over a long career in business, described the incident as embarrassing.

"If you want to attract people like John Prescott and myself to sit on statutory authorities you have to give us the authority," Mr Kennedy said.

"Only a fool will accept responsibility without authority." He said $30,000 in corporate entertainment was "peanuts", particularly given QR gave the State Government $153 million in dividends last year, primarily thanks to the coal companies, guests of the aborted party.

"The reality is that governments in Queensland do not want to let go and the ministers and politicians of all parties have no idea about the role of statutory bodies or how to use a statutory body," Mr Kennedy said.

"The reaction by government and the media was embarrassing because QR are a body required to act in a commercial manner to bring the railways out of the doldrums and out of the steam train era," he said.

"As soon as you start interfering it will make it hard to get quality people - all in all it is a disaster and a retrograde step and the Government needs to take a good hard look at themselves and statutory bodies."

His views were shared by the head of the Queensland Resources Council, Michael Roche, who said the whole exercise indicated QR basically had one hand tied behind its back.

"They are in a competitive market place and fighting for the loyalty of their customers and we have just seen some of coal business moving to a competitor (Pacific National)," Mr Roche, who entertained numerous clients in his previous role at the ASX, said.

He said it highlighted the difficulty of operating such a complex government-owned corporation which does include a heavily subsidised passenger transport business.

"For the ordinary citizens of Brisbane, QR gets them to and from work whereas for the business community it is an essential supplier for getting products to market," he said.

Mr Roche suggested moving the Brisbane commuter train service into the new TransLink Transit Authority  the Government has established to cover the southeast and let "John and Lance get on with the business of competing in a tough national freight business".

QR is in the middle of a major structural change aimed at making the group the most competitive transport company in the country and it's doubtful Mr Hockridge, or Mr Prescott, would have even thought about consulting the minister.

Mr Hockridge, 53, a career BHP executive who joined the mining giant in 1978, was unperturbed at making the leap from mining to rail, stressing the two group were in many ways very similar.

He has made no secret he wants to transform Queensland Rail into "a major national transport player".

"I believe this company has a fantastic future but that is not to say there are not a wide range of challenges we need to get on top of."

Mr Hockridge and Mr Prescott have already presided over the company's 123 per cent after tax profit hike to $183.2 million but both agreed it was a miserable result given revenue for the group in 2006 to 2007 was an impressive $3.12 billion.

With the Government at present counting down to an election next year and Minister Mickel rapping the QR executives over the knuckles like naughty schoolboys, many observers think it is now only a matter of time before the privatisation push is brought back to the table.

Either that or Mr Prescott and Mr Hockridge hang around for another few months or a year - and leave.

As Michael Roche put it: "They throw one party and the world is on their case.

"It makes you wonder how long people like Prescott and Hockridge will stay and how they will attract people of their calibre in the future."

[mufreight]

It may well be what QR's executitive officer considers to be his due to indulge in a gold plated nosh up, but notably he is not willing to provide to his shareholders the Queensland Public a list of those QR and government staffers who were to attend.
One must question why.

[dwb]

$30k IS peanuts... especially if it results in significant contracts for QR.  You've got to spend money to make money... why do you think that companies spend hundreds of millions of dollars on advertising to their customers each year.  $30k to have your best clients for dinner is not such a big deal. Get over it and get a life!

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Govt caps entertainment spend after Riverfire fiasco

Govt caps entertainment spend after Riverfire fiasco
Gabrielle Dunlevy | September 9, 2008 - 3:46PM

Queensland government-owned corporations (GOCs) will have their entertainment budgets capped to avoid a repeat of a scandal in which plans for a lavish taxpayer-funded party were exposed.

GOCs must lodge hospitality policies by the end of next month, under new corporate entertainment and hospitality guidelines announced today.

Treasurer Andrew Fraser told state parliament the documents must outline what type of hospitality the corporations believe necessary for their business.

It comes after Queensland Rail was forced to cancel a $30,000 reception for its biggest customers, to be hosted by a top Brisbane restaurant during the city's annual Riverfire fireworks festival.

QR chief Lance Hockridge expressed difficulty balancing the public's interest in having a strong rail provider in a competitive market and limiting spending of taxpayer funds.

But Transport Minister John Mickel was not sympathetic, saying the corporation's culture had to change.

QR was left with a $24,500 bill for the late cancellation, to be paid with savings made in other areas of its business.

Mr Fraser today said entertaining customers was a reality for GOCs, but the public was entitled to expect transparency and accountability.

He said event spending would be published annually, including details of all events over $5000.

GOCs would also have expenditure limits and criteria on who could be invited to events.

"Our GOCs must walk a fine line in this area, but this is what the taxpayer is perfectly entitled to expect," Mr Fraser said.

"These corporate entertainment and hospitality guidelines will help our GOCs find the balance that Queenslanders expect."

Premier Anna Bligh told reporters events like QR's Riverfire party would not be acceptable under the new rules.

"I think it's absolutely clear that the recently cancelled function by Queensland Rail was inappropriate," Ms Bligh said.

"It would not comply with any reasonable policy in this regard, and I hope that as a result of the treasurer's actions to require these policies we won't see any repeat of those sorts of functions."

AAP