The Brisbane Times today reported that the Queensland Housing Minister, Dr Bruce Flegg, dumped his Chief of Staff.  The following is from the Brisbane Times today, reported by Daniel Hurst.

Queensland Housing and Public Works Minister Bruce Flegg has dumped his chief of staff, but the circumstances remain a mystery.

A Newman government spokesman said Dr Flegg lost confidence in his top political adviser Fraser Stephen, who left his position as chief of staff on Thursday.

He said Mr Stephen’s job was “terminated” but would not disclose the reasons.

Dr Flegg reportedly refused to comment on the matter when questioned by media on his way into a weekly cabinet meeting this morning.

In June, Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey confirmed the departure of her chief of staff, Mike D’Arcy, a former TV journalist and ex-LNP media adviser.

A government media unit spokesman today issued a one-line statement about Mr Stephen’s exit.

“The minister lost confidence in his chief of staff who left the office on Thursday,” he said.

It is understood the departure was immediate.

Chiefs of staff serve in ministerial offices, overseeing cabinet members’ policy and media advisers.

By contrast, directors general are public servants in charge of the running of each department.

Mr Stephen has been largely behind the scenes and has rarely appeared in news stories.

Early this month, however, it emerged Dr Flegg’s lobbyist son, Jonathon Flegg, had contacted Mr Stephen in June to arrange meetings. Dr Flegg’s spokesman said the meetings did not proceed and the minister had ordered his staff not to allow his son to lobby his office.