URGENT UPDATE: Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber has swiftly denied allegations regarding her behavior towards staff amid a troubling wave of turnover in her office. This comes after the departure of her chief of staff, the third resignation since December 2022, raising questions about her leadership.
In an official statement released just hours ago, Gerber confronted claims that she has engaged in inappropriate conduct, including shouting and using profanity towards her team. “They cannot come at me on my record, so they’re making spurious personal allegations,” Gerber asserted, calling the accusations “clearly not true.”
The Labor Party has taken advantage of the situation, demanding intervention from Premier David Crisafulli during a heated parliamentary question time on Tuesday morning. Crisafulli reaffirmed his support for Gerber, stating that he stands by her amidst the swirling controversy.
The latest resignation from Gerber’s office was that of Valeria Cheghov, a former adviser in the Morrison and Turnbull governments, following the exits of David Fraser and Matt McEachan. These high-profile departures have sparked scrutiny over the inner workings of the Youth Justice Ministry.
Adding to the turbulence, Bob Gee, the director-general, has taken a secondment to the CFMEU Commission of Inquiry, although reports suggest he did not request the transfer. This shift raises further questions about the stability within Gerber’s team and the operational challenges facing the ministry.
As this story develops, the implications for youth justice policies in Queensland could be significant. The ongoing turnover of key personnel may undermine the effectiveness of the ministry, impacting both staff morale and critical programs designed to support at-risk youth.
WHAT’S NEXT: Observers are closely watching for further developments, including any additional statements from Premier Crisafulli or further actions from the Labor Party. The political landscape is shifting rapidly, and all eyes will be on Gerber as she navigates these mounting pressures.
Stay tuned as we continue to follow this breaking news story.
