No answers over snub
THE Palaszczuk Government is refusing to explain why the position of Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland was axed.
Monday’s Cabinet reshuffle saw Mundingburra MP Coralee O’Rourke lose the portfolio.
In a statement to the Bulletin yesterday, a spokesman for the Premier avoided answering why the role was axed.
“The economic development portfolio of state development, infrastructure, planning and manufacturing have combined,” the spokesman said.
“So Minister ( Cameron) Dick will have lead responsibility for the fully State Government- funded water solution for Townsville as well as the majority State Government- funded NQ stadium.”
Mayor Jenny Hill and councillors Ann- Maree Greaney, Verena Coombe, Mark Molachino, Paul Jacob, Margie Ryder and Colleen DEB Frecklington says her elevation to Opposition Leader spells trouble for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, warning her it is “game on” in the next term of government.
Ms Frecklington, who was deputy leader under Tim Nicholls, defeated former leader John- Paul Langbroek in a party room vote yesterday to become the first woman to lead the merged LNP.
The Nanango MP ( pictured) said she and her new deputy Tim Mander represented an opportunity for the party to “reset” after losing several seats at the state election. Doyle all spoke against the move at yesterday’s Townsville City Council meeting.
Cr Doyle said it was sad to see North Queensland had not been acknowledged despite having helped to deliver the government.
Cr Hill told her councillors that it was up to them to hold the new government to account. “There is some in Brisbane who think Townsville may be getting too much ( funding),” she said. “I’d like to think this is about getting what we’ve missed out on over the last 10 years,” she said.
Cr Hill said she had plans to meet all North Queensland representatives over the next few months.
“There’s no doubt that the Katter party will still have some influence in the government and in fact those three seats are really held in and around Townsville,” she said.
“I think that’s an indication of how many in the community are dissatisfied with the major parties.”