Queensland Arts Minister Faces Criticism Over Appointments

By Ellen Fanning

612 ABC Brisbane

Topic: Government and Politics

Sat 25 Jul 2026 at 8:25am

John-Paul Langbroek is facing increased pressure over appointments.

Queensland's arts minister is facing questions about appointments to Cultural Centre boards.

John-Paul Langbroek's appointments include Martine Whitton, a retiree from Brisbane.

Martine Whitton last worked as a part-time administration officer.

Martine Whitton has been appointed to the Queensland Cultural Centre board.

In June, Ms Whitton took up a three-year appointment to the Queensland Museum board.

She is the daughter of the late Queensland Liberal senator Warwick Parer.

Ms Whitton worked for many years as an executive assistant to former Queensland Liberal senator George Brandis.

A Queensland Museum spokesperson said Ms Whitton has extensive experience in public service.

A spokesperson for Mr Langbroek said the changes provide a balance of fresh ideas and experience.

Board changes

The Crisafulli government is under pressure over appointments.

At budget estimates, Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick questioned an appointment.

Former federal opposition leader Peter Dutton was appointed to the Queensland Investment Corporation board.

Peter Dutton now sits on the Queensland Investment Corporation board.

Mark Robinson, a retired LNP MP, was appointed to the Queensland Museum board.

Former Queensland Liberal senator Brett Mason is the new Queensland Museum chair.

The museum board oversees scientific research and repatriation of ancestral remains.

Mr Langbroek has overhauled the board of the State Library.

The overhaul came after fraught relations with the minister.

Only one State Library board member remains from 2025.

Former Liberal senator George Brandis was installed as the new chair in March.

Martine Whitton spent years as an executive assistant to former Liberal senator George Brandis.

Ms Whitton's husband, Leigh Whitton, was appointed to the library board in March.

Mr Langbroek has appointed two of his former ministerial staff members to the library board.

Fiona Crawford was Mr Langbroek's chief of staff from 2012 until 2015.

Danyelle Britz worked alongside Ms Crawford as Mr Langbroek's senior media adviser.

Both were appointed to the library board in March for a three-year term.

The State Library's biography for Ms Britz notes her experience in television programs.

Mr Williams said the appointments depend on the political climate of the day.

Voters are overwhelmed with material concerns, so these appointments may pass with little notice.

Strained relations

The overhaul of the board was achieved by declining to renew terms and sacking members.

Mr Langbroek removed three State Library board members, including two First Nations directors.

The overhaul came in the wake of fraught relations between the minister and the board.

The minister issued a formal direction to the board under the Libraries Act.

The board sought independent legal advice about the matter.

Under the Libraries Act, individual board members would contravene the act if they refused to comply.

In the end, no formal direction from the minister was issued.

Mr Langbroek confirmed he gave no direction to change award recipients.

The minister has made prominent political appointments to cultural institutions.

Former Queensland LNP minister Ian Walker was installed as QPAC's new chair.

He has served on the board of Queensland's Chamber Orchestra and is chair of Queensland Youth Orchestras.

Appointments to cultural centre boards are prestigious, but fees are modest.

The annual fee for each State Library board member was $4,000.

Each museum board member was paid $7,000, while the chair received $20,000.

Most voters would question why important jobs are handed out without a transparent selection process.

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