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The final week of Queensland parliament estimates hearings before voters go to the polls in October saw state ministers and bureaucrats grilled about a wide range of issues — from an overseas study trip, to a pop concert, and contracts for youth programs.
Here are five takeaways from this week's sessions.
Absence at meeting before concert questioned
On Thursday, the director-general of Queensland's education department was asked to explain why he did not attend a Brisbane school meeting about asbestos — ahead of a P!nk concert that night.
Asbestos-containing material was detected at Rochedale State School in March after a staff member reported a "misty dust" falling from the classroom ceiling.
Parents and carers were notified, with the principal telling them "a number of precautionary measures" were being undertaken.
Shadow education minister Christian Rowan told estimates a meeting was held between departmental representatives, parents, teachers, and the department's chief health advisor to discuss the asbestos incident at 4pm on March 19.
He asked director-general Michael De'Ath why he didn't attend.
"There are a whole range of things that happen across 1,264 schools every day, and I certainly wouldn't be attending all of those, and nor would it be appropriate," Mr De'Ath responded.
"I have a very, very high of confidence in my staff … and in their understanding and approach to dealing with our procedures around asbestos."
Dr Rowan followed up with: "parents have expressed concerns to the Queensland opposition that you and minister [Di Farmer] attended the P!nk concert later that night – wouldn't it have been a better use of your time to attend this important meeting?"
Mr De'Ath said he had confidence in how his staff were managing the issue and said the concert was an "important" event to acknowledge stakeholders.
"If I had had any concerns whatsoever about the management of the asbestos issue at Rochedale State School, I would have been there," he added.
Ms Farmer also fielded questions about her attendance at the concert.
She said she thought it was "unlikely" that any member of parliament had not attended a corporate event, saying it was an "accepted way" to network.
Asked if she had personally met with Rochedale school parents about their concerns yet, Ms Farmer said her senior advisor had been present at a number of meetings and her assistant minister had also attended the school.
Youth justice contracts in spotlight
Later on Thursday, questions turned to youth programs.
A report from the auditor-general in June said the youth justice department invested millions of dollars in service providers but had procured some services "without adequately documenting the rationale" for why it was investing.
There were five funding decisions between March and September 2023 that were the "result of direction and decisions from ministers, rather than based on the department's evidence," the report said.
The LNP asked the director-general to provide details on those contracts.
Bob Gee told estimates that two went to the Johnathan Thurston Academy's You Got This Program for at-risk youths.
"It was announced by the former premier from memory in the budget process 2023-24," he said.
He said he could not talk about cabinet budget committee decisions or processes, but pointed out the Queensland Police Service had partnered with the JT Academy since 2018, and a university had evaluated a program in 2022.
Overseas travel questioned
Queensland Treaty Minister Leeanne Enoch was in the hot seat on Wednesday and the LNP asked her repeated questions about a $126,000 ministerial study tour.
Late last year, Ms Enoch and several bureaucrats spent just over a week in Canada and the United States.
As part of the trip, she met with the Museum of Vancouver to push for the return of Queensland artefacts, and announced during estimates that an agreement had been struck between the Canadian museum and Queensland Museum.
When pressed by shadow minister John-Paul Langbroek about the cost of the overseas trip, Ms Enoch defended the travel.
"As the member is fully aware, it is not uncommon for ministers in the duties of their role to travel to seek out opportunities to learn more about how we advance the interests of Queenslanders," she said.
"As a former minister, he travelled twice in one term— to China and then to Japan and Indonesia, I believe, from the records."
She said Canada is internationally-recognised as a "global leader in closing the gap, in truth-telling and reconciliation … and progressive repatriation policies for the return of First Nations artefacts".
Ms Enoch also told estimates the accommodation was booked on the recommendation of their in-market representatives and the itinerary was "entirely within the guidelines and in accordance with the Ministerial Handbook".
Minister quizzed over 'resi care' rates
Child Safety Minister Charis Mullen was quizzed on Wednesday about the rate of young people in residential care.
Children are placed in "resi care" when they are unable to live with family or foster carers.
Last year – amid increasing concern – the government announced a review, and in February released a "road map," aiming to halve the rate of children in residential care within five years.
Estimates heard, as of March, there were 1,955 children in the state's residential care, compared to 1,759 last year.
Ms Mullen acknowledged there are "too many children currently in residential care".
"It is also why we determined in July last year to instigate a review into residential care," she said.
"Through COVID we did see older children, with more complexities, coming into the system and that has led to a significant increase in the number of young people in residential care."
Shadow child protection minister Amanda Camm asked Ms Mullen how many residential care facilities she had visited since becoming the minister in December last year.
Ms Mullen later confirmed she had visited two sites in July – one in Townsville and another in Brisbane – and there were no children present at the time of her visit.
Cost of power station investigation revealed
On Tuesday, the cost to date of an independent, multi-year investigation into a 2021 explosion at the Callide C power station – which triggered mass blackouts — was revealed.
Budget estimates heard, as of July 16, state-owned operator CS Energy had paid Brady Heywood $10.4 million.
The final report of forensic engineer Dr Sean Brady – of Brady Heywood — was released in July.
Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said CS Energy and its representatives were responsible for commissioning the company in 2021, setting the scope of the investigation and inevitably paying for the report.
Meanwhile, figures showed CS Energy had also spent $38.9 million on external legal fees in two years.
Chief executive Darren Busine said the costs related to a range of matters including an ongoing class action, new investments, and the C4 investigation.
He said they were "important legal fees that we've incurred to protect the interests of the organisation".
Shadow energy minister Deb Frecklington put to him the cost to taxpayers included the "battle to keep the Brady report out of public view".
She also zeroed in on bonuses paid to CS Energy executives.
Five company executives were paid a total of $290,000 in cash bonuses in the 2022-23 financial year.
Ms Frecklington asked Mr de Brenni why the bonuses were paid if he wasn't satisfied with CS Energy's performance.
He told the hearing the renumeration of government-owned corporation staff was a matter for the board.
"The board made those decisions," he said.
He also said a new chair, chief executive and board have since been appointed.