Palaszczuk government report card: The best and worst ministers rated
Our state political editor has given her verdict on the Palaszczuk Government’s performance, but now it is time to cast your vote - who were the star ministers and who floundered? VOTE IN THE REPORT CARD NOW
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The Palaszczuk Government started this year strong following last year’s election drubbing of the LNP.
Arguably it hasn’t lost much ground as it navigated a year dominated by the Covid health and economic response.
HOW WOULD YOU GRADE THE BEST AND WORST STATE GOVERNMENT MINISTERS? SCROLL DOWN TO CAST YOUR VOTE
It has endured criticism of border closures, priority treatment of sports players, and the incredibly harsh decision to lock out thousands of its own residents for nearly three months.
But outbreaks and lockdowns were avoided, unemployment is low and it ends the year with high-enough vaccination rates and a reopening date.
It’s managed to fend off sustained attacks over the state’s under-pressure hospital system for the most part, although whether it can continue to sustain them will depend on how a tired and stretched health workforce can now respond to Covid entering the state.
SCROLL DOWN FOR FULL ANALYSIS OF THE GRADES
In other spheres, the government earned major kudos securing the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games for Brisbane, and it’s done significant work in some reform spaces, particularly with the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce led by Margaret McMurdo.
However, the government has coasted in other areas, still in the coma that overcame much of the mechanisms of government when the pandemic shut down momentum in 2020.
It was criticised for its slim legislative agenda, with little for MPs to do some sitting weeks.
And it continues to leave much to be desired as an open, transparent and accountable administration.
OVERALL MARK FOR PALASZCZUK GOVERNMENT: C+
Premier and Olympics Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk: A
Weathered patches of unpopularity and was even forced to apologise over the NRL WAGs saga, but ultimately still a popular leader.
Clinched the Olympics.
Would be nice to hear more often about her plans for the state rather than latest Covid count.
Should remember online fans are fickle.
Deputy Premier, State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning Minister and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics Infrastructure Steven Miles: C+
An up-and-down year after an excellent 2020 managing the pandemic as health Minister.
Hasn’t gelled with new portfolio and his best work has been in a supporting role to the Premier, particularly securing support for historic Voluntary Assisted Dying laws.
Tried his hand as government attack dog, but stepped back after getting bitten himself.
Was clearly embarrassed when he accidentally called the Prime Minister a “c---, contrast” at a Labor rally.
Treasurer, Trade and Investment Minister Cameron Dick: B
Government’s best parliamentary performer can play the attack dog with gusto.
Considering that, and his important portfolios, it’s surprising the public sees so little of him.
Handled a smooth budget process which contained a surprise $153m surplus for 2024-25.
But MYFER next week will reveal how solid that prediction was considering the Budget was wrongly predicated on Queensland’s borders being open throughout 2021.
Education, Industrial Relations and Racing Minister Grace Grace: C+
Schools were largely open in 2021, to parents’ delight.
Plans to place GPs in schools should make a real difference for kids.
Commended for laws making it easier for emergency workers to access PTSD compo but introduced teacher vaccinate mandates late and there’s concern childcare centres won’t have time to replace those who won’t get jabbed amid critical workforce shortages.
Health Minister and Leader of the House Yvette D’Ath: C+
Full marks for candidly discussing the under-pressure health system, admitting to many of its faults and pushing the case for reform earlier this year.
But insiders say the momentum for health reform has been lost.
The highly-politicised parliamentary inquiry into Commonwealth health services announced last month looked more like political cowardice than the political courage earlier shown.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey: C
Competent enough Minister but too focused on the politics.
Introduced tough laws for dangerous drivers obsessed with their phones.
Has come late to the issue of scooter safety considering its regulations are only for those with a maximum speed of 25kph and many go much faster.
Kept problems with Covid cleaning of trains hidden until The Courier-Mail revealed some crews hadn’t been bothering.
Energy, Renewables, Hydrogen, Public Works and Procurement Minister Mick de Brenni: D-
Troubles at the Queensland Building and Construction Commission have plagued de Brenni.
Has done little to defend the agency but finally announced an inquiry into it.
Was sidelined in his important hydrogen portfolio, with the biggest announcements this year made by Palaszczuk and Fortescue Metals Group chief executive Andrew Forrest.
Attorney-General, Justice Women, and Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Minister Shannon Fentiman: A
Substantial work achieved a credit to Palaszczuk’s decision to place the domestic and family violence portfolio with the Attorney-General.
The solid media performer is working through a huge legislative to-do list, including defamation reforms, reforms to the criminal justice system to support women victims of violence and shield laws for journalists, to name a few.
Police, Corrective Services, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan: B-
Started the year on shaky ground when he was lambasted for comments made comparing the state’s worst child criminals with Kit Kat theft and there’s an excessive parole backlog.
But demonstrated gumption in securing the passage of tougher youth justice laws supported by police that had been blocked in the previous term.
Tourism, Innovation and Sport Minister and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement Stirling Hinchliffe: C+
Has held tourism during a difficult time for the industry but is well respected by stakeholders and his department has done a good job engaging.
Attempted to water down the Office of the Chief Entrepreneur by adding an unnecessary advisory council, before Palaszczuk intervened to insist the role – vacated by Leanne Kemp in December – would remain.
It took six months to find the new Chief Entrepreneur, Wayne Gerard.
Agricultural Industry, Development, Fisheries and Rural Communities Minister Mark Furner: D+
The self-proclaimed Farmer’s Friend continues his low-key role and a perusal of his latest ministerial releases reveals not much.
The Auditor-General ripped it up his department for its laissez faire oversight of the RSPCA’s animal welfare enforcement actions. At least he looks the part.
Communities, Housing, Digital Economy and Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch: D+
Got long-stalled rental reform legislation through the parliament, although only the first tranche.
Made a lot of noise about community housing.
There was money in the budget but not enough to address the state’s long waiting list, which is even harder to get hold of than a social housing tenancy.
Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water Minister Glenn Butcher: C
An intrepid traveller thanks to his portfolio but should do more to sell it.
Was able to end the year with good news for southeast Queenslanders who won’t be put on water restrictions for Christmas.
But that was mostly due to rain and the foresight of previous Labor governments in building the water grid.
Employment, Small Business, Training and Skills Development Minister Di Farmer: D
The business community was not taken along with the government in its response to Covid until very late in the year.
Her JobTrainer program should be a jewel in the crown of the Labor government but most people have never heard of it.
Was boosted by $200m this month. Who knew!?
Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Craig Crawford: D
No matter who has technically been in charge of the vaccination of indigenous communities, the man responsible for their representation can’t get a pass mark when the rollout has been so disappointing.
Queensland’s Path to Treaty has slowed, with the department itself boasting no major milestones this year, but six in the previous two.
Resources Minister Scott Stewart: D
Might be saying something that the resources director-general is better known than the Minister.
His only piece of legislation was highly technical and his diary is fairly lean.
Sector has hummed along anyway but is no Anthony Lynham.
Environment, Great Barrier Reef, Science and Youth Affairs Minister Meaghan Scanlon: B+
Phased out single-use straws, stirrers, plates and cutlery, returned protected areas of Moreton Island (Mulgumpin) to Traditional Owners and officially renamed Fraser Island its traditional name of K’gari.
Speaks well in parliament.
Considered a rising star.
Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs Minister Leanne Linard: B-
Survived first crisis of portfolio well following the devastating deaths of Kate Leadbetter, Matty Field and their unborn baby.
Speaks well in parliament, passionate about portfolios.
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