The Government has promoted Adam Aspinall from non-executive director to chair of the troubled generator company.

Aspinall stood in as acting chief executive of Stanwell Corporation for almost two years following the snap resignation of Richard Van Breda shortly after he had said that some of the state’s coal-fired generators would have to close earlier than anticipated.

Soorley’s resignation from the chair follows a troubled period for both him and the company which owns the Callide power station, an asset that has delivered nothing but trouble for the past two years after one of its generators blew up.

There was none of the usual statement of thanks for service from the Government on the resignation after eight years in the job, just a confirmation that Soorley had made the decision to step down and Aspinall was his replacement.

Soorley has also been defending allegations he received a $2500 cash payment to lobby politicians to extend a restaurant lease.

Jedid alleged in his legal claim that in March 2018 he paid the former Labor politician to lobby state government ministers to obtain a longer lease on the restaurant property, which was not successful.

Directors of Government-owned corporations are not allowed to work as lobbyists.

Soorley, who was lord mayor of Brisbane from 1991 to 2003, has vigorously denied Jedid’s claims. He could not be reached for comment.