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The article reports that Queensland's highest-paid public servants earned more than $900,000 last year, with several earning more than the premier who made over $476,000. Notable figures include Health Department director-general David Rosengren at $903,000 and Brisbane 2032 chief executive Cindy Hook at $1.033 million. Premier David Crisafulli defended these salaries as part of his vision to create the best public service in Australia.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In Queensland, the highest-paid public servants earned more than $900,000 in the 2025-26 financial year, surpassing even the premier's salary. Key among them was Health Department director-general David Rosengren with a total package of $903,000, and Damien Walker from the Department of Premier and Cabinet at $838,000. Additionally, Under-Treasurer Paul Williams earned $810,000. Chief executives involved in Brisbane 2032, such as Cindy Hook with $1.033 million, and Simon Crooks with $882,000, also received substantial incomes despite Crooks starting only in August 2025. This revelation highlights the significant disparity between public servant earnings and those in elected roles, sparking discussions on pay equity within government departments.
Written for “Queensland Public Servants Salaries” on 2026-10-07,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning: leans left for article 62182 (medium confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-10-07
The highest-paid head of department in Queensland earned more than $900,000 last year, and more than half-a-dozen were paid more than the premier.
asserted
dozen → pay → premier
A dump of well over 100 annual reports in the lead-up to the Brisbane Lions’ grand final appearance revealed how much the most powerful public servants raked in during the 2025-26 financial year, including non-monetary perks.
asserted
servants → reveal → perks
It also showed sizable pay rises for some.
asserted
It → show → some
Health Department director-general David Rosengren earned a total package of $903,000.
asserted
Rosengren → earn → 903,000
David Crisafulli’s handpicked head of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Damien Walker, took home $838,000.
asserted
head → take → 838,000
Under-Treasurer Paul Williams was paid $810,000.
asserted
Williams → pay → 810,000
Since-retired Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning director-general John Sosso made $736,000.
Queensland Investment Corporation chief executive Kylie Rampa earned $951,549.
asserted
Rampa → retire → 951,549
The heads of Olympic bodies also brought in serious money, with Brisbane 2032 chief executive Cindy Hook on $1.033 million, while Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority chief executive Simon Crooks made $882,000, having only started in August 2025.
asserted
Crooks → bring → August
President Andrew Liveris took home $177,804.
asserted
Liveris → take → 177,804
Some directors-general earned sizable pay rises, with the head of the Department of Housing and Public Works, Mark Cridland, earning $675,000 – up $61,000 from $614,000 12 months prior.
asserted
head → earn → 614,000
In the same period, Premier David Crisafulli earned a salary of more than $476,000 following a pay rise in the middle of 2025.
asserted
Crisafulli → earn → 2025
This may not have included all the add-ons in the total pay package figures used for directors-general.
uncertain
This → include → directors
The generous remuneration packages demonstrate just how much the government is willing to pay for behind-the-scenes talent.
asserted
government → demonstrate → talent
Asked on Tuesday if he believed the top salaries represented good value for Queensland taxpayers, the premier said he was “really comfortable” with how the system worked.
asserted
system → ask → taxpayers
“Ultimately, those senior mandarins of all those departments are accountable to me, and then indirectly to the ministers for the job they do, and that’s the way [the Westminster system] has to work,” Crisafulli told reporters.
asserted
Crisafulli → do → reporters
“I’m pleased with where the public service is working.
asserted
service → work → ?
I said to you from day one, my vision is to create the best public service in the state – in the country.
asserted
vision → say → country
“That is my vision, and we’ve made good progress on that.”
asserted
we → make → that
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