Bligh's husband cleans out his desk March 27, 2012 - 11:46AM...

Bligh's husband cleans out his desk March 27, 2012 - 11:46AM

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Greg Withers, with his wife Anna Bligh after her election defeat. Photo: Harrison Saragossi

The husband of former premier Anna Bligh was this morning cleaning out his desk, according to sources within the Department of Environment and Resource Management.

Greg Withers has been in charge of DERM's Office of Climate Change since its inception four years ago.

Mr Withers is at work this morning, but is understood to have begun clearing out his desk yesterday afternoon.

Advertisement: Story continues below Incoming Premier Campbell Newman has so far refused to answer questions about Mr Withers' future as he continues his shake-up of the public service since winning Saturday's election.

Mr Newman is tipped to announce changes to DERM roles when he holds a press conference at 1pm today.

He has for 12 months indicated that he intended a major review of DERM and the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.

Mr Newman may also announce the replacement for DERM's director-general, Jim Reeves.

Mr Reeves was an adviser to former Labor lord mayor Jim Soorley.

DERM's executive management group met yesterday afternoon and both Mr Reeves and Mr Withers attended the meeting.

On Sunday, Mr Newman sacked John Bradley, the director-general of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, in favour of Jon Grayson.

The Australian newspaper today reported that David Edwards, son of Sir Llew Edwards, who was Liberal treasurer for Sir Joh Bjelke Petersen, will become director-general of the new Department of State Development.

David Edwards spent two years as state director of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA).

There is speculation that Jude Munro, the first person to have been the chief executive officer of two Australian capital city councils, may be among Mr Newman's new appointments this afternoon.

Ms Munro served as CEO of Brisbane City Council for 10 years until June 2010, and before that was CEO of the City of Adelaide council.

Mr Newman spoke highly of Ms Munro when she decided to retire from Brisbane City Council in March 2010.

Since June 2010, Ms Munro has been the chairperson of Queensland Urban Utilities, the water utility set up by the state government to provide water and sewerage services to the greater Brisbane area.

However, a Queensland Urban Utilities spokeswoman said Ms Munro would remain as QUU chief executive.

Mr Newman has indicated that he plans a shake-up of Queensland's water supply framework.

As Brisbane City Council's CEO Ms Munro developed negotiations with Water Industry workers and reviewed the assets of Brisbane Water within Brisbane City Council, which is now the largest shareholder in Queensland Urban Utilities.


Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/blighs-husband-cleans-out-his-desk-20120327-1vvo1.html#ixzz1qMq9G6o4