Women at war as Deb fronts up to Premier
THE LNP will be asked to elect its first woman leader today, a day after the country’s most successful female leader unveiled her gender- balanced and family- friendly new government.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk met with her fresh caucus yesterday – comprising 25 men and 23 women – more than two weeks after Queenslanders went to the polls to make her the first woman to win a second term in power.
Flanked by her newly established economic team in Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad, State Development Minister Cameron Dick and Innovation Minister Kate Jones, she gave a triumphant pep talk to her 47 colleagues while reminding them of the work they had ahead.
“We made a commitment to the people of this state that we would focus on jobs, health and education,” she said.
“We made a commitment that we would work as hard as we possibly can so that people across this state can get access to employment.”
The LNP’s deputy leader, Deb Frecklington, is the punter’s favourite to replace her old boss, Tim Nicholls, and is running on a joint ticket with former Newman minister Tim Mander.
But they face a strong challenge from Surfers Paradise MP John- Paul Langbroek.
Lesser- known backbencher Mark Robinson will also challenge, while North Queensland backbencher Jason Costigan will independently run for the deputy spot.