Article: Transport boss Michael Caltabiano signals Queensland Rail shake-up

[#Metro]

Solve the problem, remove one level of bureauracy, shut down Translink.

Totally and absolutely DISAGREE on this one, and enough of this anti-translink bashing! The Audit clearly shows that even if TransLink were TOTALLY abolished and PT magically organised itself with no intervention, the absolute maximum you could save is 6%.

Most of the funds for PT go into QueensLand Rail (56%). That's where the major issues are.

[Fares_Fair]

Must be delegated to TransLink, I know for a fact that TransLink administers the service contracts.

Can concur, confirmed from the highest levels of QR.

[STB]

Solve the problem, remove one level of bureauracy, shut down Translink.

Geez, NO! NO and....NO!   With all due respect, whatever chip on your shoulder you have with TL or other Government departments, please can you stop with the Anti-TL bashing and start being constructive.  It doesn't help one bit!

For once in a while, I'm actually agreeing with TT 100%! 

[somebody]

I agree with TT & STB.  Given that I agree with neither very often, that should tell you something.

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Michael Caltabiano says he never worked for a lobbyist's firm despite business card

Michael Caltabiano says he never worked for a lobbyist's firm despite business card

    by: Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    October 22, 2012 12:00AM

CAMPBELL Newman's most controversial public servant insists he never worked for a lobbyists' firm despite handing out business cards featuring his photo, details and the company logo.

Michael Caltabiano, the Transport and Main Roads director-general, was also listed on the lobbyists' register in 2008 as a lobbyist at Entrée Vous.

The firm was previously owned by LNP Minister Ros Bates and her son Ben Gommers, who is the subject of a CMC investigation into how he landed a job as a senior liaison officer with Mr Caltabiano's department.

On Thursday, Mr Caltabiano's office said he never worked for Entrée Vous even though he was listed on the lobbyists' register in 2008.

"Mr Caltabiano assisted in the setting up of the Entrée Vous company in late 2006, which is why he was listed on the lobby register," said a TMR spokeswoman.

"Mr Caltabiano never worked for the company or had any further involvement from that point."

On Friday, Labor councillor Kim Flesser contacted The Courier-Mail to say he had met with Mr Caltabiano and his developer client in his capacity as a lobbyist with Entrée Vous in 2007.

"He certainly made it clear to me that he worked for Entrée Vous," Cr Flesser said.

"He even gave me his business card, which I've still got.

"The meeting he arranged with me was to discuss a property development at Nundah that was being proposed by his client."

In response to further queries from The Courier-Mail about his distribution of business cards describing his role with Entrée Vous as "managing partner", Mr Caltabiano's office provided these answers:

"Mr Caltabiano has advised he received business cards as part of his role in setting up Entrée Vous as a company in 2006.

He advises he never received any payment for services provided to the company. He advises it would be incorrect and inaccurate to assert he worked for the company."

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said questions remained about Mr Caltabiano's role with Entrée Vous and his professional involvement with Mr Gommers.

"Mr Caltabiano's name appears on the Government's lobbyist register as a representative of Entrée Vous in 2009. Clearly that would imply he worked for the company," Ms Palaszczuk said.

Entrée Vous is now run by former LNP state director Geoff Greene.

Time for a new DG?

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

22nd October 2012

Re: Interesting reading ...

Greetings,

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/michael-caltabiano-says-he-never-worked-for-a-lobbyists-firm-despite-business-card-featuring-his-photo/story-e6freon6-1226500282609

Oh dear, might be time for  a new DG in the TMR.   Always problematic Premier putting 'mates' first ...

Have a great day.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[Stillwater]

Michael Caltabiano has described QR as inept and disfunctional, and reorganised its management to his plan.  He has brought Neil Scales and Translink within the Department structure and he has installed 'his man' as Departmental Liason Officer in the Minister's office.  With concentration of power at the top, likelihood is that sections and groups lower down the ranks will back off in preparation of strategies, while innovation is stiffled.  People will sit at their desks, do as they are told.  Imagine if you are a QR middle manager (assuming you haven't been  found surplus to requirements), having been told you are inept and incompetent -- a blanket accusation.  You will say 'well, let's see Caltabiano do better' and wait for instructions.  Of course, the boss might like it that way.  As military types know, the battle is won by creating the box in which troops operate.  They are given boundaries, but are free to use their discretion in local changing circumstances.

[ozbob]

I think it is time Mr Caltabiano resigned as DG TMR.

From the Couriermail click here!

Michael Caltabiano listed on Entree Vous website as one of 'our people'

Michael Caltabiano listed on Entree Vous website as one of 'our people'

    by: Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    October 23, 2012 12:00AM

TRANSPORT and Main Roads' Director-General Michael Caltabiano was promoted on the website of a company he claims he never worked for as one of "our people".

A screenshot of the Entree Vous website from 2007 shows Mr Caltabiano, current LNP Minister Ros Bates and her son Ben Gommers were the three key players in the lobbying firm at that time.

The website also carried a testimonial from Liberal Senator Nick Minchin, describing "Ros and Michael" as "demonstrating the good side of what is a great profession" (lobbying).

The images raise further questions about Mr Caltabiano's insistence he was not involved in Entree Vous, beyond helping to set up the company in late 2006.

Entree Vous is now run by former LNP state director Geoff Greene.

Yesterday The Courier-Mail revealed he distributed business cards describing himself as a "managing partner" with Entree Vous, but he still insisted he did no work for them, and was never paid for "his services".

The denials follow his appearance before last week's budget estimates hearing, at which Mr Caltabiano said he had no "previous working knowledge or experience" of his departmental liaison officer - Mr Gommers.

That statement stunned Opposition leader Annastacia Palaszczuk, given Mr Caltabiano and Mr Gommers were listed together on the lobbyists register in 2008 as lobbyists for Entree Vous. Yesterday Ms Palaszczuk maintained the pressure on Mr Caltabiano to "come clean".

A spokeswoman for Mr Caltabiano has previously said it would be "incorrect and inaccurate to assert he worked for the company, and incorrect, inaccurate and misleading to assert he worked with Mr Gommers".

"Mr Caltabiano has advised he received business cards as part of his role in setting up Entree Vous as a company in 2006," the spokeswoman said.

"He advises he never received any payment for services provided to the company. He advises it would be incorrect and inaccurate to assert he worked for the company."

Mr Gommers' appointment in TMR is under investigation by the Crime and Misconduct Commission.

[ozbob]

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

Time Mr Caltabiano resigned, failing that Premier sack him. Transport in disarray. @tmr @theqldpremier http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/michael-caltabiano-listed-on-entree-vous-website-as-one-of-our-people/story-e6freon6-1226501035648 ... #qldpol #auspol

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

23 October 2012

Re: Interesting reading ...

Greetings

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/michael-caltabiano-listed-on-entree-vous-website-as-one-of-our-people/story-e6freon6-1226501035648

I think it is time Mr Caltabiano resigned as DG TMR.

Transport is in disarray.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[somebody]

The Minister in NSW hasn't done anything different.

[mufreight]

The Minister in NSW hasn't done anything different.

Might one point out that this is not NSW and just because one Minister in another state shows their level of ineptitude that does not mean that it should be accepted as the norm in this state.

[Set in train]

I totally agree with the issue "...been told you are inept and incompetent...". these words should not be used publically and very limited privately. You do not fix a problem with your workforce by starting out how useless they are.

Most commuters that pass through Bowen Hills and endure the turtle like speed of crews changing shifts causing services to be minutes late would agree that lower/middle/upper/whoever management in QR really is inept and incompetent. This painfully slow changeover happens many times a day, every day. And what about eRail and all the delayed delay updates? Or the almost daily 'jackpot' of all lines showing service disruptions? "inept and incompetent" rings the bell again and again.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Most commuters that pass through Bowen Hills and endure the turtle like speed of crews changing shifts causing services to be minutes late would agree that lower/middle/upper/whoever management in QR really is inept and incompetent. This painfully slow changeover happens many times a day, every day.

[ozbob]

Couriermail -->
Transport and Main Roads DG Michael Caltabiano referred to Ethics Committee over claims made before Estimates hearing

... CAMPBELL Newman's most controversial public servant, Michael Caltabiano is facing potential criminal charges for allegedly misleading State Parliament about his work history.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the Transport and Main Roads' Director-General has been referred to the Ethics Committee by Speaker Fiona Simpson, regarding statements Mr Caltabiano made to the budget estimates hearing.

Ms Simpson was reacting to a letter from Transport Minister Scott Emerson raising concerns Mr Caltabiano may have misinformed the committee.

The referral follows The Courier-Mail's reporting about Mr Caltabiano's work history including the revelation in Monday's paper that he had a business card promoting his work with lobbying firm Entree Vous, part-owned by current departmental liaison officer Ben Gommers.

As this matter is now an investigation I have locked this thread.

[ozbob]

 Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Thursday, October 25, 2012

Statement by Transport and Main Roads Minister

Following recent media reports I have written to the Speaker requesting she refer statements by Transport and Main Roads Director-General Michael Caltabiano to the Parliamentary Ethics Committee.

During the Transport and Main Roads Estimates Hearing (October 18) Mr Caltabiano said he had known a staff member personally, not professionally.

I've been assured by Mr Caltabiano that this is the case.

However, I believe this is a matter requires the appropriate scrutiny by Parliament's Ethics Committee.

During this period, Mr Caltabiano will be stepping aside as Director-General of Transport and Main Roads on full pay, under standard arrangements.

Deputy Director-General Neil Scales will be acting Director-General during this period.

[ENDS] 25 October 2012

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Ethics probe into Transport and Main Roads D-G Michael Caltabiano threatens Newman Government

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Caltabiano faces Parliamentary probe

[ozbob]

Queensland Labor --> Premier Slow To Act On Caltabiano

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Caltabiano probe could take months

[ozbob]

Updated

Couriermail --> Ethics probe into Transport and Main Roads D-G Michael Caltabiano threatens Newman Government

[ozbob]

612 ABC Brisbane --> Ethics Committee chairman talks to Steve about Michael Caltibiano

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Newman must release Caltabiano's CV: Labor

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Document links Caltabiano to Gommers

[ozbob]

Channel 10 news

-->

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> MP Ros Bates takes leave as Michael Caltabiano scandal widens

Couriermail --> Michael Caltabiano in LNP faction which denied Scott Emerson chance to enter Parliament in 2005

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> LNP powerbroker turned possible liability

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> MP Ros Bates takes leave as Michael Caltabiano scandal widens

Update:

UPDATE 11:31AM Robyn Ironside, Daryl Passmore THE Premier is under pressure to sack holidaying Arts Minister Ros Bates if she refuses to face Parliament over the growing Caltabiano affair.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> MP Ros Bates takes leave as Michael Caltabiano scandal widens

Update:

UPDATE 11:31AM Robyn Ironside, Daryl Passmore THE Premier is under pressure to sack holidaying Arts Minister Ros Bates if she refuses to face Parliament over the growing Caltabiano affair.

Update:

UPDATE 2:25PM Robyn Ironside, Daryl Passmore THE Newman Government has today produced a medical certificate for Arts Minister Ros Bates to explain her sudden leave from parliament.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Minister 'sick', not on holiday

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Taxpayers pick up bill in Michael Caltabiano affair

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Opposition calls on arts minister to face parliament

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Labor leader Annastacia Palaszczuk accused Michael Caltabiano of threats and intimidation

Brisbanetimes --> Labor complains of 'threat' from Caltabiano lawyers

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Stood down Director-General Michael Caltabiano hires high-profile criminal defence specialist Adrian Braithwaite

[ozbob]

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2012/2012_10_30_DAILY.pdf

[ozbob]

AFR --> Caltabiano helped lobby Brisbane City Council

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Caltabiano advised owners of controversial dump

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> LNP calls police on own high-powered member

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Michael Caltabiano inquiry suspended for CMC probe

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Rules governing parliamentary ethics body may be reviewed