Queensland’s four new ministers have been sworn in by Governor Paul de Jersey.
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Assistant Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has been promoted to a fully-fledged ministerial role – transport and Commonwealth Games.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk with ministers Grace Grace, Stirling Hinchliffe, Mick de Brenni and Leanne Donaldson follow the Queensland government’s first cabinet reshuffle.
Despite promising during the election campaign to keep her ministry to 14, Ms Palaszczuk was forced to beef-up her ministry after claims some ministers were being over-burdened with portfolios and through the resignation of embattled former police minister Jo-Ann Miller.
Grace Grace’s inclusion as Employment, Industrial Relations and Multicultural Affairs minister, ahead of factional colleague Di Farmer, brings the Old Guard, also known as Labor Unity, ministerial numbers to four despite only having seven members in the 43-strong caucus.
Treasurer Curtis Pitt could arguably be seen as one of the biggest losers of the Cabinet reshuffle, losing Employment and Industrial Relations, but the rugby league tragic and North Queensland MP has gained the Sports portfolio.
“I’ve made a point of leading an open and consultative government that takes Queenslanders with us when it comes to job creation policies, economic growth initiatives and the delivery of better frontline services”, she said.
Two first-time MPs, Bundaberg’s Leanne Donaldson and Springwood’s Mick de Brenni, have been elevated to the ministry, taking on the agriculture and fisheries portfolio and housing and public works portfolio respectively.
Ms Palaszczuk said the changes meant she had the “right team” to take the state forward.
“I think in the roles that I have played, being the first woman elected to head the Queensland council of unions, you have to work with employers every day and I have worked extremely well with employment organisations in this state for many years”, she said.
Some of the Palaszczuk Government’s strongest performers, such as Jackie Trad and Kate Jones, were lumped with the moniker “minister for everything”, with frustration growing at the increasing balancing act needed to cover their different portfolio interests.
“I will find out what the priorities are and really sit down and make sure I get across the portfolio as quickly as I can”, she said.
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Steve spoke to the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, State Political Reporter Chris O’Brien and Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg.
