Brandis names public service veteran as acting State Library boss amid overhaul

A former “public sector renewal” executive in the Newman government has been enlisted as the temporary boss of Queensland’s state library amid a period of significant leadership change and broader overhaul at the cultural institution. The library was thrust into the spotlight last year when Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek directed its leadership to cancel a $15,000 fellowship to a First Nations writer over her online commentary, sparking an independent review into the roles of the library and minister. Fresh Library Board of Queensland chair George Brandis wrote to staff on Wednesday morning to reveal Scott Martin would be replacing outgoing library veteran Vicki McDonald.

In the email, obtained by this masthead, Brandis, a former federal LNP senator for Queensland, said Martin would begin in the role on July 29. “Many of you will know Scott from his over 30 years of Queensland government experience, including 10 years within Arts Queensland,” Brandis said. He also thanked McDonald, who after 10 years as state librarian and library chief executive had accepted a role as chief executive of State Library Victoria.

Brandis congratulated her on the “prestigious opportunity” in the southern state. “In the coming weeks, the library board will commence an international recruitment process to select a new State Librarian and CEO,” he said. Martin will move across to the temporary role from his departmental position as senior executive director of agencies, governance and infrastructure.

Prior to this, he held senior roles in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, including executive director of its “public sector renewal” arm during the Newman LNP government. McDonald told staff last Monday of her intention to leave the role, with her final day to be July 28 with an acting replacement to work with her on a “smooth transition”. Brandis, a former federal arts minister and High Commissioner to the UK, was quietly appointed to the chair role in an almost complete sweep of the library board in March, as the institution was stripped of its state literary awards management.

Author Karen Wyld, who writes under the name K A Ren Wyld, had posted on social media platform X referring to killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as a martyr in October 2024. Langbroek met with reluctant library leaders, including McDonald and former chair Debbie Best, twice to express his concerns before stepping in officially to deny Wyld the black&write! fellowship.

The decision sparked an independent review into the roles of the library and minister, along with state literary award delays driven by the resignations of 12 judges. The subsequent handing of the Queensland Literary Awards to the Brisbane Writers Festival also left the future of the libraries seven-person Stories and Ideas team unclear. Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights.

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