House debates

Monday, 22 July 2019

Statements by Members

Gladstone Ports Corporation

1:56 pm

Photo of Ken O'DowdKen O'Dowd (Flynn, National Party) Share this | | Hansard source

The Port of Gladstone is Queensland's largest commodity port and the world's fourth largest coal-exporting terminal. It is managed by the Gladstone Ports Corporation, formerly the Gladstone Port Authority, a statutory corporate body of the Queensland government. Major exports include coal and gas, aluminium and cement products. GPC had its biggest year ever in exports in 2018-19, with a record 124.8 million tonnes of trade.

This comes on the back of revelations that the Crime and Corruption Commission in the Queensland government is assessing allegations of corrupt conduct in the GPC. Chairman Leo Zussino was stood down. In May, the GPC board sacked CEO Peter O'Sullivan following an investigation into the handling of a staff disciplinary matter. He was on full pay of $533,000 a year while he was under suspension. Port handling fees are the dearest in Queensland. As exports continue to grow, it is vital that the state government start operating the port with full transparency.