NORTH QUEENSLAND ROLE GONE IN NEW CABINET
A KEY North Queensland portfolio has been scrapped from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Cabinet, stripping Mundingburra MP Coralee O’Rourke of the position.
Ms O’Rourke retained her Disability Services and Seniors portfolios while also adding Communities. However, there will be no Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland in this government.
The Palaszczuk Government will keep open its Townsville office of the Department of Premier and Cabinet it opened in July, 2015.
Ms O’Rourke did not comment on the axing of the position but said she was honoured to continue serving in the Palaszczuk Cabinet and take on additional responsibilities this term.
“The Communities portfolio covers a lot of ground, and I am particularly interested in the areas of community disaster recovery and resilience, which are so vital to our state, and particularly North Queensland,” she said.
“I am also looking forward to building upon my work in the areas of Disability Services and Seniors, and will remain a strong advocate for Townsville and North Queensland within Cabinet.” The Bulletin asked the Premier’s office why the portfolio was scrapped, however it did not comment.
A spokesman for the Premier said the Government was boosting regional representation through five assistant ministers, however none are based north of Mackay.
“The Department of Premier and Cabinet North Queensland office will remain open, and the Government will move to strengthen the department’s presence in regional Queensland based on the success of reopening the Townsville office that the LNP closed,” he said.
Mayor Jenny Hill slammed the decision and said she was disappointed there was no one representing economic development in the North.
“The first 100 days of their ( Labor) performance, I think that’s what the community will judge them on,” she said.
Townsville Enterprise chief executive Patricia O’Callaghan said she had concerns about the reshuffle.
“What we need right now are jobs and economic development,” she said. “We will be seeking assurances from the Premier about what the rationale was behind this decision.
“How can we be assured that Townsville, North Queensland region won’t be forgotten?
“The people of Townsville re- elected the three members and Coralee O’Rourke’s portfolio was key to that.”