Cabinet roles shift in Labor ministry
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has officially announced her new economic team ahead of her government’s swearing-in on Tuesday.
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad will take over as treasurer, Cameron Dick will move from health to state development, infrastructure, planning and manufacturing, and Kate Jones will focus on tourism industry development, innovation and the Commonwealth Games.
Ms Palaszczuk will take over the trade portfolio and has confirmed Cabinet will be expanded by one to make room for Member for Barron River Craig Crawford.
Di Farmer will also be promoted to Cabinet and former transport minister Stirling Hinchliffe returns to the ministry.
It comes after The
Courier-Mail revealed the likely changes last week.
“This Cabinet team is strong, it’s dynamic and it also means we have equal representation of men and women,” Ms Palaszczuk said of the changes, with the full ministry to be known after a caucus meeting tomorrow.
“I believe that this is the strongest team to drive economic development and jobs in this state.”
Ms Palaszczuk defended the decision to move Treasurer Curtis Pitt to the Speaker’s chair.
“The Speaker of the Queensland Parliament is an incredibly important role and he has the integrity and the commitment to do that job,” she said.
She denied she had broken a promise for him to remain as Treasurer.
“This is the job that he has decided to undertake,” she said.
The Premier’s office confirmed Steven Miles, Grace Grace and Yvette D’Ath were in line for promotions. The Sunday
Mail understands Ms Grace will take over the education portfolio from Kate Jones, while Dr Miles is tipped to take on health.
Ms D’Ath will add Leader of the House to her title while remaining as Attorney-General.
It is understood Leeanne Enoch will take over environment.
Shannon Fentiman is expected to pick up Ms D’Ath’s training portfolio, with new Cabinet member Di Farmer taking on the child safety ministry.
Anthony Lynham will keep the agriculture portfolio he took on when former minister Bill Byrne resigned through illness.
Mr Hinchliffe may become mines minister.
Mark Bailey is tipped to add transport to his Main Roads role.
Deb Frecklington will face off against John-Paul Langbroek and Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson on Tuesday in a party room vote to become Opposition leader.