More departures at Queensland events and tourism agencies

Events Queensland Chairman Geoff Dixon has reportedly resigned from his position, marking another departure of a senior events and tourism executive under the new Queensland Government.

Dixon (pictured), the Tourism Australia Chairman and former Qantas Managing Director, told The Australian newspaper he wanted to move on after three years at Events Queensland chairman, stating "there is no issue at all ... I have so many commitments.

"I told the (Events Queensland) Board and Minister almost immediately at the government change that ... I would step down at a time which was suitable for both of us and that was well known."

However, Dixon's departure is the fourth resignation of a senior state events and tourism executive since the election of the current Queensland Government in March (as first reported by Australasian Leisure Management on 14th June): Events Queensland Chief Executive John O'Sullivan and Tourism Queensland Chairman Don Morris both resigned from their roles while Mark Stockwell was dumped as Chairman of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee.

Each of the executives and their agencies are the responsibility of Queensland Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey. In oppostion, Stuckey and the Queensland Liberal National party was highly critical of the former Labor Government's tourism performance.

The Australian reports Queensland government sources as claiming there had been a series of clashes between Minister Stuckey and her staff as well as with some of Queensland's senior bureaucrats.

The newspaper added that Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has put Minister Stuckey "on notice" after alleged internal clashes with staff and some of the State's most senior bureaucrats.

Meanwhile Morris, who served as Chairman of Tourism Queensland for five years, has joined the board of Dreamworld and AMF Bowling owner Ardent Leisure.

14th June 2012 - DEPARTURES AT QUEENSLAND EVENTS AND TOURISM AGENCIES

27th March 2012 - NEWMAN PUTS TOURISM TO THE FORE AFTER CRUSHING QUEENSLAND ELECTION WIN

9th December 2009 - O’SULLIVAN TO HEAD QUEENSLAND MAJOR EVENTS CORPORATION