Queensland’s Government House witnesses the swearing-in of Premier Steven Miles’ new-look cabinet in a major shake-up.
Premier Steven Miles Unveils Overhauled Cabinet
In a significant restructuring move, Premier Steven Miles has revealed the revamped cabinet for Queensland, with five new ministers taking their oaths of office at Government House on Monday morning.
This marks the most extensive realignment of the state government in nine years.
Key Appointments in the New Cabinet
- Nikki Boyd assumes responsibility for the Fire, Disaster Recovery, and Corrective Services portfolios.
- Bart Mellish inherits the Transport and Digital Services Minister roles from Mark Bailey.
- Lance McCallum will oversee Employment, Small Business, Training, and Skills Development.
- Charis Mullen takes on the portfolios of Child Safety, Seniors, Disability Services, and Multicultural Arts.
- Michael Healy is set to manage the tourism portfolio, succeeding Stirling Hinchliffe, and will also oversee sports affairs.
Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon, amidst the ongoing housing crisis, takes on the expanded portfolio of Housing, Planning, Local Government, and Public Works, aiming to address Queensland’s housing needs effectively.
Premier Miles expressed confidence in Scanlon’s ability to handle the demanding portfolio, emphasising the importance of placing housing in a senior role within his government.
The leadership duo of Premier Miles and Treasurer Cameron Dick, elected unanimously and unopposed in last Friday’s Labor caucus meeting, now spearhead the Queensland Labor Party.
The swift transition comes on the heels of Annastacia Palaszczuk’s surprising resignation just a week ago.
This historic moment marks the first instance since 2005 that the party has two men at its helm.
Additional Cabinet Changes
Additional portfolio changes include Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer adding Education to her responsibilities, Police Minister Mark Ryan taking on Community Safety, and Energy Minister Mark De Brenni incorporating Climate into his department.
The reshuffle is considered the most significant since the 2015 election victory led by former Premier Palaszczuk, who recently stepped down after nearly nine years in office.
The departure of Ms Palaszczuk from her Inala seat will prompt a by-election by the year’s end, marking the end of an era for Australia’s longest-serving sitting premier.
