The Queensland Government has named an interim chair for Queensland Rail after reports David Strachan had quit the role amid public anger over bonus payments for senior management.
According to multiple reports earlier this month, Strachan quit after the Government stepped in to block $3.6 million in bonuses which were to be paid to roughly 380 senior members of staff.
Strachan was named chair in February 2017 after he led an inquiry into staffing and training issues at QR.
According to the ABC, QR directors Paul Wallis and Sandra Birkensleigh also left the operation amid the bonus furore.
This week the state’s transport and main roads minister Mark Bailey named QR board member David Marchant as the interim chair.
Marchant will take charge while recruitment gets underway for other board vacancies, including the permanent role of chair, Bailey said.
“Mr Marchant has served on Queensland Rail’s board since 2015 and was recently reappointed to the board for another three years,” Bailey said.
“He received an Order of Australia in 2013 for service to the rail industry and has also occupied leadership roles with the Australian Railway Association and Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board.”