Ex-cop in police role
Opposition Leader hands Last key shadow portfolios
ROUND pegs in round holes is the advice Burdekin MP Dale Last gave to new LNP leader David Crisafulli when selecting shadow ministers.
And it’s a piece of advice that stuck. Mr Last, a former police officer, was named the new police and corrective services Opposition spokesman yesterday.
It is one of three new portfolios Mr Last has been tasked with this term, along with Fire and Emergency Services and Rural and Regional Affairs.
And Mr Last will no longer
be the lone LNP wolf in the North, with new Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm named as Opposition spokesman for child protection and prevention of domestic, family and sexual violence.
Mr Last said it was a new and exciting challenge, but he was familiar and passionate about the new roles.
“What I did say to David Crisafulli is round pegs in round holes, and in large that is what he has done. It makes sense to put members into shadow cabinet roles where they have some knowledge and experience and I certainly bring a lot of that to this particular role,” Mr Last said.
“I’m passionate about North Queensland and that is why David Crisafulli has given me that role of shadow minister for rural and regional Queensland.
“It’s a roving brief to travel through rural and regional Queensland and I am more than happy to do that.”
Already representing one of the largest electorates in Queensland, Mr Last says the extra travel will be difficult with a young family at home, but he has their support.
“It’s tough on my family, I will be honest, at times it’s really challenging especially on special occasions or when one of the kids is sick. But having said that, we’ve talked it through and they’re very supportive of what I’m doing,” he said. “It goes with the territory. I’m up for the role and I’m going to give it my best shot.” In his new role as Opposition police and corrective services spokesman, Mr Last said he would continue the work he had previously done advocating for the community.
In the last term of government, the Burdekin MP advocated for a tough-on-crime approach and pushed for the Townsville community to have its voice heard.
“I think everyone over the course of the last term would have seen that I was very keen to take up issues on their behalf and fight for the community,” Mr Last said.