Queensland’s Premier insists “I have listened, and I have acted” as she unveils her new-look cabinet after a reshuffle that moves around familiar faces to new positions.
Annastacia Palaszczuk’s “refreshed” Labor team was sworn before Governor Dr Jeannette Young at Government House on Thursday.
Future leadership hopeful Shannon Fentiman moves to the beleaguered health portfolio while keeping control as minister for women, a role she fought to retain.
Rising star Meaghan Scanlon is promoted to housing to tackle the state’s growing accommodation crisis.
The challenging task of Youth Justice falls to Di Farmer, who will move from employment, training and skills development.
Yvette D’Ath is moving from health to return to the attorney-general role she held until 2020.
Former housing minister Leeanne Enoch will steer Queensland’s path in the treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships, communities and the arts portfolios.
Leanne Linard’s move from youth justice to take on environment and science was seen as a significant demotion.
Adding insult to injury, the former youth justice minister’s name was noticeably misspelt on the official cabinet announcement – to Leeanne Linard.
Ms Palaszczuk insists her “refreshed” cabinet will focus on delivering for Queenslanders.
“Our government cares about Queenslanders and what they’re thinking. I have listened, and I have acted,” she said.
“I’m going to use the experience I have as Premier to have a critical focus on shaping a better and fairer Queensland, now and for the future.”
Ms Palaszczuk said she and her team remained firmly focused on the future.
“That’s why I have refreshed the government by refreshing the cabinet, and today marks a new beginning,” she said.
The opposition insisted the reshuffle solved nothing and was a distraction from the issues faced by everyday Queenslanders.
“I’m not going to be distracted by governments that are constantly looking at the politics are things and looking for ways to relieve political pressure,” Liberal National leader David Crisafulli said.
“I’m looking for ways to relieve people’s financial pressure. I’m looking for ways to make sure that the services they rely on are world-class.”
Deputy leader Jarrod Bleijie said the reshuffle showed a government desperate to cling to power.
“This is completely about the premier trying to reset her government,” he said.
“What we’re seeing over the last 48 hours with respect to the chaos, the crisis and the dysfunction – many Queenslanders will be shaking their head in disbelief.”
Perhaps the biggest scalp remained Yvette D’Ath, who continued to be singled out for support by colleagues.
Police Minister Mark Ryan on Wednesday praised Ms D’Ath’s “great work” in what he conceded was a difficult portfolio.
The reshuffle came after a recent poll showed voter support for the Palaszczuk government is falling.
Support for Ms Palaszczuk declined by seven percentage points to 31 per cent – her worst approval rating since she first became premier in 2015.
Labor’s primary vote was 33 per cent against the LNP on 39 per cent in April, the poll published in the Courier-Mail showed.
-AAP
