Former Rio Tinto executive Phillip Strachan will be the new chairman of Queensland Rail, and Stirling Hinchliffe has resigned as transport minister, after a report recommended significant changes be made to the operator after severe service interruptions late last year.
Queensland Rail was forced to cancel a swathe of services last year due to a short-staffing crisis, which led to the resignation of its chairman and chief executive officer, among others.
A frustrated Hinchliffe ordered Strachan to lead an inquiry into the mess, which made 36 recommendations for change at Queensland Rail.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on February 6 said State Cabinet had endorsed all 36 recommendations of the 300-page document.
“The people of Queensland have been badly let down by Queensland Rail’s inability to maintain an effective timetable, and my Government is very sorry and I apologise for that,” the Premier said.
“The problems that led to driver shortages from October 2016 were many years in the making, but my Government takes the responsibility, and is firmly resolved to fix them.”
The report found “a range of factors” responsible for the driver shortage.
QR had a preference to operate with a 5-10% undersupply of train crews, resulting in an over-reliance on overtime, the report said.
Restrictions on the external recruitment of crew, a 12-month halt of driver training between February 2014 and 2015, and an 18-month average driver training period were also identified as key factors.
Recommendations from Strachan’s report include the implementation of a ‘sectorised’ train crew deployment method, which it suggests would reduce crew training periods from 18 months to just 9.
It also suggests moving from intermittent recruitment campaigns to ongoing recruitment, and opening driver and guard positions to external applicants, including to those who have no prior experience.
Palaszczuk thanked Strachan for leading the inquiry, and named him the next chairman of Queensland Rail.
“Phillip Strachan has undertaken a comprehensive review of Queensland Rail, interviewing senior staff of the organisation and gaining a thorough understanding of its culture and practices,” she said.
“He has made wide-ranging recommendations to ensure QR has sufficient drivers and a reliable pipeline of training to deliver the services that Queenslanders will need into the future.
“Phillip Strachan is uniquely placed to lead the organisation through what will be a significant transition to focus on its customers – the travelling public.”
Strachan’s first task will be to find a new chief executive for the operator.
Meanwhile, Stirling Hinchliffe has resigned as minister for transport and the Commonwealth Games.
“The issues at Queensland Rail have been some of the most challenging and, at times, frustrating issues I have needed to manage as a minister,” he said.
“I know that they have been a distraction for the Government’s core task of delivering jobs for Queenslanders.
“Now that the Commission of Inquiry has concluded and the Government delivered its response, I believe that Queensland Rail and the Transport portfolio have the path prepared for a fresh start to get back to delivering for our passengers.
“The findings of Mr Strachan demonstrate that no Minister or Government could have foreseen driver shortage issue due the Queensland Rail mismanagement.
“I’m pleased that following a rough slog we have been able to begin to turn this issue around and today marks a line in the sand on the matter.”
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad was named acting transport minister.
She named former IBM, Compaq, HP and Deloitte director Jacquie Walters to head a new CityTrain Response Unit, to be set up within the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Trad said Walters and the CRU would be tasked with monitoring and auditing the reforms to Queensland Rail.
“The Strachan Inquiry clearly demonstrated that there is significant work that needs to be undertaken to improve culture and in turn productivity at Queensland Rail,” Trad said.
“I am committed to working with the Queensland Rail Board and the unions to methodically implement the recommendations and improve rail services for Queenslanders.
“I have had positive initial discussions with the board and union representatives and we will be identifying ways to fast track driver recruitment and training immediately.”