http://www.greatbarrierreef.org.au/gladstone-ports-corporation-swimming-in-sea-of-controversy/
gives some historical context to the ports chief's axing.
By John Mikkelsen
Gladstone Ports Corporation seems to be battling a sea of
controversy including last week’s announcement that CEO Leo Zussino’s employment contract would end in August, against his wishes
to remain at the helm.
The announcement by board chairman Mark Brodie, backed by
Premier Campbell Newman, sent shock waves through the rapidly expanding
industrial city. But many considered Mr Zussino was on borrowed time under the
new LNP regime following the axing of former chairman Mr Ian Brusasco and
several other board members including a former mayor and strong supporter,
Peter Corones, last year.
Headlines involving the ports corporation did not end with
Mr Zussino’s impending departure. Days later a national newspaper broke the
news of a new federal investigation into claims it had breached environmental
audit conditions surrounding the highly controversial Western Basin Dredging
and Disposal project. This came hot on the heels of other media reports
involving claims by an independent scientist that two varieties of seagrass in
the inner harbour were in danger of becoming extinct, and local speculation
over the make-up of a new science panel to monitor water quality in the
harbour.
The biggest talking point however, has been Mr Zussino’s
looming departure. Despite praise by both Mr Brodie and Mr Newman of his
dedicated service to the GPC over 21 years, the first nine years as board
chairman, then as CEO, he was told it was time for a change and the
introduction of new blood.
But the truth is, his long time at the tiller guiding the
GPC through a period of undeniably
rapid growth in sometimes troubled waters, was almost brought to an early end
when the machinations of politics
first threatened his visionary plans .
Gladstone residents with long memories will recall the now
little known fact that following the ousting of long term Labor premier Wayne
Goss in 1996, the new coalition premier Rob Borbidge, attempted a customary
political hatchet job on ports chiefs, including Mr Zussino. (Borbidge became premier in a hung
parliament with the backing of Gladstone Independent, Liz Cunningham).
But the Nationals leader apparently backed off in the face
of what he was convinced was a strong show of support for Mr Zussino from
various community and local government figureheads. This even included the
Catholic Parish Priest of the day a Fr John Begg, who went to bat for the
Gladstone ports chairman publicly as well as within his Star of the Sea
congregation.
Ironically, Mr Zussino held his job a lot longer than Mr
Borbidge who was defeated just two years later by Peter Beattie.
Those decrying such political manoeuvrings then and now,
could also be reminded that a former Gladstone Port Authority chairman, Graham
Fenton had been unceremoniously and abruptly dumped from his position not long
after Wayne Goss first came to power as Labor premier back in December 1989. He
was replaced then by Mr Zussino, a strong Labor supporter. Later Zussino made
the transition to CEO following the retirement of his former mentor and long
serving chief executive, the late Reg Tanna.
And so the rudder turns, but on the surface now, there is no
bitterness shown by either party. Mr Zussino has told media that he had offered
to stay on to guide the next stages of Gladstone Harbour’s major growth. On one
TV news bulletin he said he had no intention of “going off and growing roses”
and would probably seek a position in private enterprise.
Mr Zussino has also said he had not been told
there were political motivations behind the decision to drop him, and that he
had always kept his political beliefs separate from his working life.
"It was decided that there was an issue in
succession planning (for GPC) and a new CEO had to come in some time. I am
devoted to the port. I would have been happy to stay.
But there comes a time
when there needs to be change and the chairman and the board decided that
(this) is the time.
He said he had offered to complete the transition
required to accommodate the 60mtpa of new trade resulting from the LNG
industry, the Wiggins Island Coal Terminal and increased coal exports from
existing terminals.
However, in the interest of leadership
succession planning, it was decided that there was benefit in the new CEO being
fully immersed in the significant transformation process to accommodate the
expansion in an orderly manner.
Mr Brodie said Mr Zussino’s passion and
determination towards his role was well known and he had placed the GPC in a
strong position.
It plans to have an interim CEO in place by
June so the new chief executive could work alongside Mr Zussino until the end
of August to help ensure a smooth transition.
Mr Newman gave a similar tribute to Mr
Zussino’s service at a media conference but when asked, “Was he pushed?”,he
replied:
“His contract wasn’t renewed. That’s the point.
I mean he hasn’t been, his contract was up for renewal and the Ports
Corporation Board have chosen not to renew it”.
Meanwhile some major environmental groups have
been scathing in their criticism. Save the Reef claimed that
during Mr Zussino’s term as
CEO “an environmental disaster” had
unfolded in Gladstone Harbour.
“The World Heritage Area, dugong sanctuary
and turtle haven was turned into a massive oil, gas and coal hub
which had led to a UNESCO mission visit, following an expression of extreme
concern about the LNG developments ,” according to spokesman Dr Andrew
Jeremijenko.
Co-ordinator of Australians for Animals, Ms Sue
Arnold said it was “ gratifying to know that Leo Zussino will not have his
contract renewed”.
“Mr Zussino’s role as CEO of Gladstone Ports Corporation was summed up by
Campbell Newman last year in a letter to me over a highly misleading press
release disseminated by GPC.
“Premier Newman wrote: ‘The past attitude of
GPC on environmental matters has been a source of alarm to my government."
