Qld bureaucrat jailed over lavish fraud

A senior Queensland public servant has been jailed for using taxpayer funds to buy expensive teak furniture, an electric scooter and a $935 silk jacket while earning up to $367,000 a year.

The state's former chief scientist, Suzanne Miller, used a government-issued credit card for personal spending 18 times between August 2014 and June 2016.

She bought overseas flights and accommodation in Scotland, an outdoor storage shed, dinosaur show tickets and a drum kit.

Miller transferred money from the credit card into her own bank account and twice used it to pay her mortgage.

She also paid $8000 towards her daughter's private school fees, but later repaid that money.

In addition to misusing the credit card, Miller benefitted from the payment of about $45,000 in health insurance premiums she wasn't entitled to receive.

The 55-year-old held a "high-profile position" as director and chief executive of the Queensland Museum Network, later also being appointed as the state's chief scientist, Brisbane magistrate Noel Noonan said.

She first earned $280,000 a year, but when she held both positions from November 2016 her combined salary was $367,000.

Crown prosecutor Christopher Cook says Miller was able to "arrogantly commit" the crimes, using her esteemed position to achieve financial gain.

"This (offending) is out of greed and arrogance, not out of need," he told the court on Friday.

Miller pleaded guilty in March to a single charge of fraud after dozens of the allegations concerning her use of taxpayer money were either dropped or rolled into one offence.

She was taken into custody last month after asking for her bail to be revoked so her sentencing hearing would not be delayed.

Mr Noonan on Friday sentenced Miller to three years' jail, suspended after three months, for the misuse of about $75,000 of taxpayer funds.

He said a cheque from Miller for the full amount would be paid to the Queensland Museum Network.

Miller will be released in July, which takes into account the time she has already served in jail.

The dual citizen intends to move to Scotland, where her husband and daughter live.