Jackie Trad

Jacklyn Anne Trad (born 25 April 1972) is an Australian politician. She was Deputy Premier and Treasurer of Queensland from 2015 to 2020 and has represented the Legislative Assembly seat of South Brisbane for the Labor Party since the 2012 South Brisbane by-election.[1] In 2019 she was removed from all dealings with Brisbane's Cross River Rail project after corruption allegations , shortly after Trad resigned as Deputy Premier and Treasurer in May 2020, after the Crime and Corruption Commission commenced an investigation into the recruitment of the principal of a new secondary school in Brisbane, the second time the deputy premier had faced CCC scrutiny in the past 12 months leading up to the event.[2] She was cleared by the Commission in July that year, however the commission found "the nature of her involvement in DoE [Department of Education] decision-making created a corruption risk". In 2020 she was then referred again over allegations of interfering with the independent recruitment process for the role of under treasurer while she was treasurer in 2019.

Jackie Trad

MP
Deputy Premier of Queensland
In office
14 February 2015 – 10 May 2020
PremierAnnastacia Palaszczuk
Preceded byJeff Seeney
Succeeded bySteven Miles
Treasurer of Queensland
In office
12 December 2017 – 10 May 2020
PremierAnnastacia Palaszczuk
Preceded byCurtis Pitt
Succeeded byCameron Dick
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships of Queensland
In office
12 December 2017 – 10 May 2020
PremierAnnastacia Palaszczuk
Preceded byMark Furner
Succeeded byCraig Crawford
Minister for Transport
of Queensland
In office
9 February 2017 – 12 December 2017
PremierAnnastacia Palaszczuk
Preceded byStirling Hinchliffe
Succeeded byMark Bailey
In office
14 February 2015 – 8 December 2015
Preceded byScott Emerson
Succeeded byStirling Hinchliffe
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning of Queensland
In office
14 February 2015 – 12 December 2017
PremierAnnastacia Palaszczuk
Preceded byJeff Seeney
Succeeded byCameron Dick
Minister for Trade and Investment
of Queensland
In office
14 February 2015 – 10 February 2017
PremierAnnastacia Palaszczuk
Preceded byTim Nicholls
Succeeded byCurtis Pitt
Member of the Queensland Parliament for South Brisbane
Assumed office
28 April 2012
Preceded byAnna Bligh
Personal details
Born
Jacklyn Anne Trad

(1972-04-25) 25 April 1972
South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Political partyAustralian Labor Party
Other political
affiliations		EMILY's List
Spouse(s)Damien van Brunschot
Children2
Alma materGriffith University
University of Sydney
OccupationPolitician
Websitewww.jackietrad.com.au

Personal life and family

Trad is the second daughter of Lebanese immigrants; Lebanese Arabic was her first language. The family returned to Lebanon in 1979 to live in Beirut for one year where she attended the International College.

Back in Australia, she attended Lourdes Hill College in Brisbane and her parents became local small business owners, operating a fruit shop in Woolloongabba. She began an arts degree at Griffith University and completed a Master of Public Policy at the University of Sydney.

She grew up in South Brisbane and currently lives in the suburb of West End with her husband and two children.[3]

Trad identifies as Catholic and with her Maronite Church heritage despite her progressive views.[4]

Political career

History

Trad was elected to the legislature at the South Brisbane by-election held on 28 April 2012.[5] The by-election was held after the resignation of the previous Labor Party incumbent and former Premier Anna Bligh.[6]

Trad has also held several positions within the structure of the Australian Labor Party (ALP). She was formerly the Queensland ALP Assistant State Secretary, President of the Kurilpa Branch, a delegate to the ALP National and State Conferences, member of the National Executive Committee and also the Secretary of Labor Women's Organisation Queensland.[7]

Trad is often characterised as representing the progressive arm of the Palaszczuk Government. She has previously campaigned on issues relating to environmentalism, education and gender equality. [8] Trad is on the record as being a supporter of same-sex marriage.[9] She is also a supporter of adoption by same-sex partners.[10][11]

She is the current leader of Queensland Labor's Left Faction. [12]

Opposition

On 29 April 2012, Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk appointed Trad as Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Environment and Heritage Protection, Small Business, Consumer Affairs and the Arts.

Trad was appointed as a member of the Parliamentary Ethics Committee and served from May 2012 to January 2015.

On 11 September 2012, Leader of the House Ray Stevens referred to Trad as "Jihad Jackie" during parliamentary debate.[13] Believing the term to be referring to her Lebanese heritage, Ms Trad objected and requested that the remark be withdrawn. Immediately following this interaction, Premier Campbell Newman said that Jackie Trad was "precious" and needed to "harden up."[14] Trad commented outside parliament that "It is outrageous to think that the Queensland Parliament should be condoning these sorts of racist barbs when they are unacceptable in the community." Her comments were echoed by Ethnic Communities Council executive manager Ian Muil when he said Mr Stevens' comment would upset people, especially in the Muslim community, describing it as "dog-whistle type stuff."[15]

First Palaszczuk Ministry

Following the Queensland state election on 31 January 2015, Tim Mulherin stood down as deputy leader, and Trad was named his successor. She thus became Deputy Premier of Queensland in the Palaszczuk Ministry on 14 February 2015.[16]

In addition to being sworn in as the Deputy Premier, Trad became the Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, Minister for Transport and Minister for Trade.[17] Following changes to the Palaszczuk Ministry in December 2015, which included expanding its size from 14 to 17, the transport portfolio was transferred to new minister Stirling Hinchliffe.[18] Following Mr Hinchliffe's resignation as Minister for Transport in February 2017, Trad regained the portfolio and held it until the Second Palaszczuk Ministry was sworn in on 12 December 2017.[19]

Tree clearing laws

On 17 March 2016, Trad introduced the Vegetation Management (Reinstatement) Amendment Bill into parliament,[20] the Palaszczuk Government's bill intended to reverse the previous government's repeal of the Wild Rivers Legislation, enacted in 2005 in an attempt to preserve native vegetation.[21] The changes in legislation under the Newman Government in 2013 had allowed increased rates of tree-clearing in Queensland. The Statewide Landcover and Tree Study (SLATS) report showed 296,324 hectares was cleared in 2013–14, a threefold increase on 2009–10 and the highest level since 2006. The 2014–15 Report found that a further 207,000 hectares was cleared.[22] Trad called the proposed legislation "nation-leading" and one of the Palaszczuk Government's key commitments for protecting the Great Barrier Reef.[23] Despite widespread public campaigning by conservation groups, the bill failed to pass the Legislative Assembly with a vote of 42 in favour and 44 against. It was the first time the Palaszczuk Government had failed to get one of its own bills through parliament.[24] Ms Trad announced in October 2016 that Labor would re-introduce the legislation if it won the next election. Following their victory at the 2017 Election, Labor re-introduced the bill as the Vegetation Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018 and it passed on 9 May 2018.[25]

Jackie Trad MP at a public rally in support of the Vegetation Management (Reinstatement) Amendment Bill in August 2016.

Abortion reform
Jackie Trad MP at a rally in support of abortion law reform, May 2016.

On 10 May 2016, Independent former-Labor MP Rob Pyne introduced two pieces of legislation to the Legislative Assembly aimed at decriminalising abortion in Queensland.[26] Trad became the first government MP to support the bill and described herself as “unashamedly pro-choice”. She said it was time for Queensland law “to catch up with legal precedent and treat pregnancy termination as a health issue, not a criminal issue.”[27] Her public statements in support of abortion law reform prompted Brisbane Catholic Archbishop Mark Coleridge to offer to "counsel" her and her Labor colleagues. At a rally in opposition to Mr Pyne's bills, Archbishop Coleridge also likened the practice of abortion to Nazi Germany. Ms Trad responded: "I would have thought the archbishop had more important things to focus on, like the inquiry into institutional abuse and the findings that are coming out of that inquiry than what is before the Queensland parliament," a reference to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.[28] Following the decision by the LNP to vote against the bills, Mr Pyne withdrew them both in February 2017. The Palaszczuk Government referred the issue to the Queensland Law Reform Commission and pledged to introduce its own bill to decriminalize abortion in the next term of parliament.[29]

Second Palaszczuk Ministry

On 12 December 2017, Trad was sworn in as Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships in the Second Palaszczuk Ministry.[30]

First Budget

Trad delivered her first budget as Queensland Treasurer in June 2018, for the 2018–19 financial year. Official budget papers unveiled a $1.512 billion surplus in 2017–18 – more than three times the forecast in the Mid Year Fiscal and Economic Review in December 2017.[31] The 2018–19 budget also forecast operating surpluses for the next four years. The increase in forecast surpluses meant general government sector debt in 2017–18 was approximately $2.4 billion less than estimated in the 2017–18 budget. However, government debt was forecast to increase from a total of $70.8 billion in 2018/19 to $83 billion in 2021–22.[32]

Questions over investment property

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk removed Jackie Trad from all dealings with Brisbane's Cross River Rail project in the wake of her investment house saga.

The property was purchased by Trad's family trust in the Brisbane suburb of Woolloongabba for $695,000 in March 2019. The location was within proximity of the proposed Boggo Road station in the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail Project for which Trad had ministerial responsibility.[33][34]

Trad was subsequently referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) by Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington.[35][36] The chair of the commission recused himself from the investigation after questions about a call he received from Trad, which both parties described as a courtesy call.[37] In September 2019, the commission announced it would not investigate Trad, stating that they saw no evidence that supported a reasonable suspicion of corrupt conduct. The commission did make several recommendations about rule changes and legislation to lower corruption risks.[38][39]

Resignation and CCC investigation

On 9 May 2020, the Crime and Corruption Commission launched an investigation into Trad's potential misuse of power in the selection of a principal of a newly constructed school in her electorate.[40] On the same day, she announced she would stand down from all her ministerial positions (including Deputy Premier and Treasurer) until the conclusion of the CCC's investigation.[41] Health minister Steven Miles would become Deputy Premier, while Cameron Dick would become Treasurer.[42] She formally resigned from the positions the following day.[2] The CCC investigation cleared Trad in July that year, stating that "there is no prima facie case that the Deputy Premier has committed a criminal offence or that she was motivated by any dishonest or corrupt intent". However, it also stated that the way in which the Department of Education had handled the recruitment exercise had created a corruption risk.[43]

See also

References
  1. Kim Lyell, "Trad declared South Brisbane winner", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 10 May 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  2. "Queensland Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad resigns from ministerial duties". ABC News. 10 May 2020.
  3. Johnson, Susan (8–9 September 2012). "Jackie Trad". QWeekend. The Courier-Mail. pp. 16–21.
  4. Layt, Stuart. "Jackie Trad rejects archbishop offer of counsel on abortion". Brisbane Times.
  5. "2012 South Brisbane By-Election – Election Summary". www.ecq.qld.gov.au. Electoral Commission of Queensland.
  6. "South Brisbane 2012 by-election results", Antony Green, ABC News, 17 May 2012.
  7. Member Biography: Ms Jackie Trad, Queensland Parliament.
  8. Trott, Kerrod (22 November 2017). "SOME QUESTIONS FOR JACKIE TRAD MP". Westender.
  9. Trad, Jackie. "Speeches – Jackie Trad: Civil Partnerships" (PDF). www.parliament.qld.gov.au. Parliament of Queensland.
  10. Sainty, Lane (3 November 2016). "Same-Sex Couples And Single People Can Now Adopt In Queensland, Despite LNP Opposition". Buzzfeed. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  11. Preston, Dominic (3 November 2016). "Same-sex couples can now adopt children in Queensland after narrow vote". Pink News. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  12. Wardill, Stave. NewsCorp. Queensland Times [qt.com.au/news/stupid-factional-games-tensions-high-over-mp-move/4009503/ qt.com.au/news/stupid-factional-games-tensions-high-over-mp-move/4009503/] Check |url= value (help). Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. Williams, Brian. "Ray Stevens' 'Jihad' remark about Jackie Trad sparks Queensland Parliament racism claim". Courier Mail. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  14. "Jihad Jackie gibe: full transcript". Brisbane Times. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  15. Calligeros, Marissa. "Premier advises MP to harden up after 'Jihad Jackie' gibe". Brisbane Times. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  16. "Queensland election 2015: Annastacia Palaszczuk sworn in as Premier". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 14 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  17. "Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announces new 14-person ministry". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  18. Remeikis, Amy. "Annastacia Palaszczuk Announces Reshuffle". Brisbane Times. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  19. "Queensland Cabinet reshuffle: Jackie Trad named as Transport Minister". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  20. "New tree clearing legislation 'an attack on farmers', rural lobby group says". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  21. "Wild Rivers legislation repealed in Queensland as new planning laws introduced to protect rivers". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  22. "Debate over land clearing laws set to reignite at Qld election as current system cut down by all stakeholders". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  23. "Deputy premier Jackie Trad says Labor will reinstate tree clearing laws after next election". Courier Mail. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  24. "Queensland tree clearing laws fail to pass Parliament in blow to minority Labor Government". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  25. "Vegetation Management and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018" (PDF). Parliament of Queensland. Queensland Government. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  26. "Queensland abortion bill: Rob Pyne says procedure 'should not be a crime'". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  27. Jabour, Bridie. "Queensland abortion bill: deputy premier Jackie Trad joins decriminalisation push". The Guardian. The Guardian Australia. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  28. Layt, Stuart. "Jackie Trad rejects archbishop offer of counsel on abortion". Brisbane Times. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  29. "Abortion decriminalisation bills withdrawn from Queensland Parliament agenda". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  30. "It is now 100 per cent official – Queensland has a government". Brisbane Times. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  31. "Jackie Trad's first Qld budget at a glance". SBS News. SBS. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  32. "Queensland budget 2018: Coal comfort for now but debt set to blow out". Brisbane Times. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  33. "Treasurer Forced to Offload Investment Property". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  34. Ludlow, Mark (19 July 2019). "Jackie Trad sells investment property after probe". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  35. "Premier Has Words With Trad Over House Scandal". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  36. Welburn, Alan (31 May 2019). "Trad's plan could be an act of extortion: Frecklington". North Queensland Register. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  37. Bavas, Josh (6 September 2019). "Trad stripped of Cross River Rail after Gabba investment property controversy". ABC News. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  38. "LNP Attack: Trad a 'Gold Card Member' at CCC". www.couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  39. Ludlow, Mark (6 September 2019). "Jackie Trad in the clear over house buy". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  40. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-10/jackie-trad-investigation-potential-unravel-qld-labor-government/12231828
  41. https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/revealed-anonymous-letter-that-triggered-trad-probe/news-story/5bc05cafa3078c2749a511a64e00b165
  42. "Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad to stand aside from ministerial duties over corruption investigation". ABC News. 9 May 2020.
  43. Lynch, Lydia; Dennien, Matt (2 July 2020). "Former deputy premier Jackie Trad cleared of corrupt conduct". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
Political offices
Preceded by
Jeff Seeney		 Deputy Premier of Queensland
2015–2020		 Succeeded by
Steven Miles
Preceded by
Curtis Pitt		 Treasurer of Queensland
2017–2020		 Succeeded by
Cameron Dick
Parliament of Queensland
Preceded by
Anna Bligh		 Member for South Brisbane
2012–present		 Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by
Tim Mulherin		 Deputy Leader of the Labor Party in Queensland
2015–2020		 Succeeded by
Steven Miles
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