By Callen Sorensen Karklis
This past weekend Queensland lost a Labor great.
Vale Rod Welford.
The Hon. Rod Welford, former Queensland MP for Stafford and Everton (1989–2009) and a key figure in the Beattie and Bligh Labor governments (1998–2012), passed away this week. Rod served with distinction as a minister in portfolios including Environment and Attorney-General, leaving a lasting legacy in Queensland politics.
I first met Rod during my early days in the union movement and retail, working on Jo Briskey’s 2012 Queensland state election campaign – her first as an Australian Labor Party candidate. Jo, who later ran for Bonner in 2016 and won the federal seat of Maribyrnong in May 2025, is the daughter of Darryl Briskey, a former school teacher and MP for Cleveland (now Oodgeroo) and Redlands (1989–2006). Darryl, a mentor to me alongside former Cleveland MP Phil Weightman (2006–2009), was a close friend of Rod’s. Together, they shaped my early involvement in Labor branch executives during the Newman era.
Rod’s contributions were profound. As Environment Minister, he established Queensland’s Environmental Protection Agency and introduced emissions caps. As Attorney-General, he strengthened the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991, advancing protections for the LGBTIQ community 🌈. After leaving politics, Rod remained active in energy, renewables, lifesaving, academia, and charities, tirelessly championing social justice and environmental causes.
A true egalitarian, Rod treated everyone with kindness and respect, regardless of their status or differences. He had a rare ability to connect with people, always making time for a conversation over a beer, whether with friends or adversaries. 💜
Rod played a pivotal role in the Save Toondah campaign, a grassroots movement to protect the Ramsar wetlands at Toondah Harbour in Cleveland from a proposed 3,600-unit development by Walker Corp. Through his leadership in Labor’s Environmental Action Network (LEAN), Rod advocated at state and federal levels, making the fight to preserve this ecological site far more effective. In his final political act, he united communities across political divides to oppose the proposed Victoria Park Olympic Stadium for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. True to his character, Rod reportedly donated generously to charities in his final days, reflecting his deep commitment to others.
Rod Welford exemplified what it means to be a social democrat, public servant, and leader. 💪 His loss is deeply felt, but his legacy endures. Rest in peace, Rod – we’ll raise a glass to you. 🍺🕊️
Callen Sorensen Karklis was the 2024 QLD State candidate for Oodgeroo. He holds a Bachelor of Government and International Relations from Griffith University and Business Diploma from QLD TAFE. He currently studies a Cert 4 in Youth Work. He has worked in retail, media advertising, union and government roles. He has also been involved with Bayside Crime Stoppers in 2015-2016 and was on the Griffith Student Representative Council as the Indigenous Officer during the Pandemic in 2021. He also has been a cohost on 4ZZZ radio programs on Workers Power and Indigi Briz. He used to be a local organiser in the Labor Party during the Newman and early Palaszczuk eras and had advised TEAL campaigns.
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