The Queensland opposition has accused the state government of engaging in “jobs for mates” politics after former Newman government minister Andrew Cripps was appointed special commissioner for rural and regional Queensland in a role reportedly worth about $300,000 annually. Critics questioned why the position was created without a merit-based recruitment process and argued the role overlaps with existing regional ministerial responsibilities. Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dik said the appointment “doesn’t pass the pub test”, while the government defended the move as strengthening regional representation and community engagement.