Having only been appointed to the head role at the state’s lead marketing, tourism experience, destination development and major events agency in January 2023, reports indicate O’Callaghan has been headhunted for her new role as Acting Director General of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation as part of the new LNP Queensland Government.

“This afternoon I announced I will be leaving Tourism and Events Queensland to take up an opportunity as Acting Director General of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (until a permanent appointment can be made),” she says in a brief statement released after-hours on Friday, 1 November, 2024.

“I am really excited about progressing our tourism agenda in my new role, albeit in a different capacity.

“Andrew Powell has been sworn in as Minister for the Environment and Tourism, and Minister for Science and Innovation, to lead the new 20-year tourism plan, with a strong focus on maximising potential ecotourism opportunities for Queensland.

“I want to acknowledge my colleague, Andrew Hopper, for the work he has done in this space and look forward to working with the team on progressing this work into the future.

“I also want to congratulate Andrew on his new role as Director-General of the Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“I am incredibly grateful for the support I have been given from our industry, board – led by chair Grant Hunt – and the entire team.

“Our time together has been invaluable and will stand me in good stead to take on this new role with the Queensland Government.

“We have made significant inroads with the launch and progress of the TEQ Blueprint, and I leave knowing the sector is in exceptionally good hands.

“I am confident the industry will continue driving and delivering exciting and important initiatives into the future and I look forward to progressing this journey together.”

O’Callaghan joins the new-look Directors-General cohort, after 10 senior figures in the roles were axed in the first week of the new David Crisafulli Government.

The new LNP government announced the sackings and appointments in a similar after-hours press release on 1 November, with Opposition Leader Steven Miles accusing Premier Crisafulli of breaking an election promise that stated a majority of Directors-General would remain in their roles.