Premier scrubs hope for next North minister
HOPES for the resurrection of a dedicated minister for North Queensland have been dashed.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk refused to bring back the portfolio during a historic sitting of parliament in Townsville.
The State Government, including local MPS, have dismissed calls for an MP to be given the ministerial responsibility as the voice for North Queensland numerous times.
Asked if she would bring back the portfolio, Ms Palaszczuk said all her ministers had responsibilities right across Queensland.
Instead, Ms Palaszczuk spruiked her announcement that she was creating the Office of Rural and Regional Queensland, which would administer the “Regional Communities Program”.
“In a state that is as vast as it is diverse, that is never an easy feat. That is why we want to strengthen our focus on the regions and responsive government to underpin our commitment to create jobs and a strong economy,” she said.
“My ministers will also be in the regions for the forums to listen to communities.”
Ms Palaszczuk said she had not created the new office as a substitute for a North Queensland minister.
Mundingburra MP Coralee O’rourke was previously the minister assisting the Premier on North Queensland but the role has not been reassigned since the portfolio was taken off her in December 2017.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has pledged to have a minister for North Queensland if elected next year.
Opposition North Queensland spokesman and Burdekin MP Dale Last would not single out any Labor MPS he thought could take on the job.
“At the end of the day you want someone that will fight for their fair share of the pie; we’re being short-changed here in NQ,” he said. “We want someone with the backbone to be able to get in there and scrap, and fight tooth and nail for our fair share of the pie.
“You don’t want a ‘ yes’ man in North Queensland.”
The Regional Communities Program will hold quarterly regional community forums across Queensland, including North Queensland.