Shake-up is long overdue
But advocates ask if things will improve
A shock Palaszczuk government cabinet reshuffle to strip underperforming ministers of key portfolios is a shake-up that had to happen according to Far North advocates.
Key ministers are expected to be demoted to junior positions, including Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard and Health Minister Yvette D’Ath who will return to her previous frontbench role as attorneygeneral.
Ms Linard has been a frequent visitor to Cairns, standing alongside police top brass to put out fires ignited by the 2021 death of state ward Bradley Smith in a stolen car and an out-of-control youth crime problem.
Outspoken car theft victim Perri Conti, following a series of Cairns Post stories and a petition calling for action on skyrocketing juvenile crime, secured a sit down chat with the Minister late last year.
Ms Conti claims Ms Linard lacked the credentials to be at the head of a key department and welcomed the cabinet shake-up.
“Thank God, Linard is gone, she was never experienced enough for the job and every time she spoke it was scripted,” she said.
“She would just spiel off like she has been practising her lines. She didn’t want to sit down and listen to what I had to say or what would work in our community.
“The big question is who are they going to put into the Youth Justice portfolio.”
Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said while the reshuffle was long overdue he had little faith the cabinet redesign would have the desired impact on crime, health and housing in the north.
“The Premier has finally addressed the fact that certain Ministers were well out of their depths with managing their portfolios,” Mr Dametto said.
“No backbenchers are expected to join the ministry which then prompts the question: ‘Which current Minister will draw the short straw and be tasked with the Housing and Youth Justice portfolios’, two of the portfolios failing to deliver for North Queensland.
“The incoming Housing Minister has an almost impossible task ahead of them but all eyes will be on the person who takes on the Youth Justice portfolio while youth crime continues to be Queensland’s number one issue.
“A failure to bring recidivist youth offenders under control before the next state election will not only have that Minister’s head on the political chopping block but will be ultimately responsible for a change of government.”
YouGov polling commissioned by News Corp recently identified health, youth crime and housing as the biggest concerns of voters.
The Premier has finally addressed the fact that certain Ministers were well out of their depths Nick Dametto