GREAT SCOTT
PREMIER ANNOUNCES NEW NORTHERN MINISTER
TOWNSVILLE MP Scott Stewart will join the state government cabinet and give a loud voice to North Queensland.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced three new ministers yesterday to fill the void of the three retired MPS Coralee O’rourke, Anthony Lynham and Kate Jones.
Mr Stewart’s name has been thrown in the ring as the potential new Natural Resources and Mines, Jobs and Skills, and Education ministers, but the Premier has refused to reveal what the new ministers will do until this afternoon.
However, Ms Palaszczuk did reveal the Deputy Premier, Steven Miles, would no longer hold the health and ambulance portfolios and instead assume responsibility for State Development, Local Government, Infrastructure and Planning.
TOWNSVILLE MP Scott Stewart is in the dark about his new ministerial portfolio despite Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announcing he would join her cabinet.
He was yesterday named as one of three new ministers, including Nudgee MP Leanne Linard and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon.
The former school principal’s name has been thrown into the ring as a potential contender for the Natural Resources and Mines, Education and more recently Jobs and Training portfolios but Ms Palaszczuk is keeping the role a secret until this afternoon.
In his first two terms in parliament, Mr Stewart served as the head of the education parliamentary committee and was deputy speaker in the last term.
Mr Stewart said he would take on whatever portfolio the Premier gave him.
“The Premier has had this knack for putting me into jobs that I just absolutely love,” Mr Stewart said.
“(Now it is about) making sure we get that strong voice for North Queensland.”
Mr Stewart said Townsville was a key seat in Queensland with economic drivers at its doorstep.
“You’ve got Mount Isa out to the west, and that is a real economic driver, when that is booming, Townsville is booming,” he said.
“The train line, the road into Townsville, the port … we are that really crucial hub.”
Mr Stewart is not the first North Queensland-based minister of a Palaszczuk government, with retiring Mundingburra MP Coralee O’rourke holding the Communities, Disabilities and Seniors portfolios.
Ms Palaszczuk said there would be a major reshuffle, with an announcement after today’s cabinet meeting.
A few changes were announced yesterday, including Deputy Premier Steven Miles taking on State Development, Local Government, Infrastructure and Planning.
Treasurer Cameron Dick will also add Investment to his portfolio and former Attorney-general Yvette D’ath will take on Mr Miles’ former position as Health and Ambulance Services Minister.