A dump of well over 100 annual reports in the lead-up to the Brisbane Lions' grand final appearance revealed how much the most powerful public servants earned during the 2025-26 financial year, including non-monetary perks. The figures also showed sizable pay rises for some.
Health Department director-general David Rosengren earned a total package of $903,000. David Crisafulli's handpicked head of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Damien Walker, took home $838,000. Under-Treasurer Paul Williams was paid $810,000. Since-retired Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning director-general John Sosso made $736,000.
Queensland Investment Corporation chief executive Kylie Rampa earned $951,549. The heads of Olympic bodies also brought in serious money, with Brisbane 2032 chief executive Cindy Hook on $1.033 million, while Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority chief executive Simon Crooks made $882,000, having only started in August 2025. President Andrew Liveris took home $177,804.
Some directors-general earned sizable pay rises, with the head of the Department of Housing and Public Works, Mark Cridland, earning $675,000, up $61,000 from $614,000 12 months prior.
In the same period, Premier David Crisafulli earned a salary of more than $476,000 following a pay rise in the middle of 2025. This may not have included all the add-ons in the total pay package figures used for directors-general. The generous remuneration packages demonstrate just how much the government is willing to pay for behind-the-scenes talent.