While the appointments seem unremarkable enough, they have prompted much speculation in Queensland’s bureaucracy about what (if anything) they mean in terms of the political direction of the Palaszczuk Government.

Allen, a former Commonwealth Bank executive with extensive international ties, was appointed Under Treasurer in September 2021. His new role at the QTC, the outfit that literally holds the state’s purse strings, will likely come with a hefty pay rise given the opportunity the corporation offers in terms of performance bonuses.

Allen is understood to be leaving the Treasury on good terms, having been a steady hand on the state’s fiscal tiller during the Covid pandemic and some willing political confrontations, including the battle with the mining industry over royalty hikes.

While his boss, Treasurer Cameron Dick, has found himself the focal point of many of the Government’s political battles, Allen has ensured his department remains above the fray.

Perhaps this comes from his experience early on in his return to the state’s bureaucracy, when he was caught up in the row over whether former treasurer Jackie Trad alleged interference in his recruitment to the top treasury job in 2019. The Opposition has alleged Trad made sure the position was filled by another bureaucrat, Frankie Carroll, rather than Allen, who reportedly had been recommended for the post by an independent selection panel.

“My time as Under Treasurer of Queensland Treasury has been a career highlight and it has been an absolute privilege to work with the Treasurer and his Office, Treasury’s Executive Leadership team and staff across Treasury teams,” he wrote in a statement announcing his departure for QTC.

“As Under Treasurer I’ve worked with multiple government agencies and industry partners in leading Treasury’s input to Queensland’s response to COVID-19 and the State’s economic and fiscal strategy.

“Treasury is ideally placed to support sustainable growth and further strengthen Queensland’s balance sheet to build a stronger economy for all Queenslanders.”

His deputy, Maryanne Kelly, will be Acting Under-Treasurer until a permanent replacement is found.

She will have to deal with a boss who has appeared out-of-sorts lately. Cameron Dick has not had the happiest time as treasurer, making some questionable political calls and suffering the humiliation of having one of his key land tax policies publicly punted by a nervous Premier.

There’s also the frustration of seeing his major rival for the party leadership post-Palaszczuk, deputy premier Steven Miles, get most of the feel-good media opportunities.

Mike Kaiser is Queensland’s coordinator-general. (Photo: KPMG)

As director-general of Miles’ portfolio of state development, infrastructure, local government and planning, Mike Kaiser has been a lot more visible than Allen in treasury, and not just because he is a former Labor MP.

With his frequent motivational lines to staff (“remember ‘public service’ is a verb”) and  prolific use of the LinkedIn platform to paint a picture of a department where big exciting things are happening, Kaiser has become the rock star of the state’s bureaucracy, even if some of his D-G colleagues might sniff at the gaucheness of it all.

But such behaviour has not curbed persistent speculation that he is in line to be the next director-general of The Premier and Cabinet – in either a Palaszczuk or Miles government. For now, as co-ordinator general (in addition to his D-G role), he has one of the most powerful jobs in the state, able to influence a while range of large-scale infrastructure projects.

In a state where the business of government is the biggest business of all, that’s not a bad gig.

Kaiser was appointed co-ordinator general last month after the incumbent, Toni Power, tendered her resignation.

“Some duds, too,” was his response when a colleague said he was among some great people who have filled the role.

Interesting times ahead.