REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Thursday Sept 13, 2007

A NEW-look Bligh Government takes charge of Queensland today with some radical changes and an overhaul of portfolios designed to reflect the fresh priorities of its premier-elect, Anna Bligh.

Ms Bligh confirmed the Gold Coast’s only State Cabinet representative, Margaret Keech, would no longer be tourism minister.

That job was expected to go to Cairns MP Desley Boyle so Ms Keech could take on the much senior portfolio of child safety.

Andrew Fraser, who turns 31 that week, became the youngest treasurer since ‘Red’ Ted Theodore in 1915, a major promotion for the minister who had a baptism of fire in the local government portfolio.

State Development Minister John Mickel was to take on a new and rather bizarre superministry of Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations while former transport minister and newly-elected Deputy Premier Paul Lucas had another superministry of Infrastructure and Planning.

‘‘I do want to reshape the ministry. I don’t intend to turn government upside down,’’ said Ms Bligh.

Referring to Margaret Keech’s promotion, Ms Bligh said Ms Keech had performed well as Tourism Minister and it was time she took on more responsibility.

‘‘Child safety is one of the most critical areas of service delivery and Margaret is not only competent, she is compassionate and while Queensland is enjoying very prosperous times you never forget there are many families doing it tough,’’ she said.