Premier adds ‘Paralympics’ to title after athletes’ public plea
Annastacia Palaszczuk has finally added “Paralympics” to her ministerial title - more than 70 days after being urged to in an open letter from Australia’s Paralympic athletes.
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Annastacia Palaszczuk has finally added “Paralympics” to her ministerial title - more than 70 days after being urged to in an open letter from Australia’s Paralympic athletes.
Ms Palaszczuk and Deputy Premier Steven Miles travelled to Government House on Monday to meet with Governor Jeannette Young to make the change to their ministerial titles.
In September the Premier was left red-faced and forced to backflip after the Paralympics Australia Athletes’ Commission issued an open letter urging her to add “Paralympics” to her title.
In the months leading up to the letter, Ms Palaszczuk repeatedly said she was told by Australian Olympic Committee boss John Coates to use “Minister for the Olympics”.
At the time of the letter, Paralympics Australia president Jock O’Callaghan said the absence of “Paralympics” from Ms Palaszczuk’s title was “at odds with everything we’ve committed to do with the 2032 Games”, and “everything else had been tried” before the athletes went public.
“As the leader of the Paralympic movement in this country I’m really quite dismayed that they need to speak out publicly to one of the most senior leaders in the country for recognition in such a simple but symbolic way,” he said.
The change means the Premier’s new ministerial title will be Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Dr Miles was sworn in as Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure.
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe already has “Paralympics” in his ministerial title, as the Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement.
In the past few weeks, Ms Palaszczuk has dodged multiple questions on when the change would occur, saying only it would happen “before the end of the year”.
In a short statement released by her office after the change was announced on her Twitter page, she said this now “fulfils (that) commitment”.
“Being Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games gives the recognition the Paralympic Games deserves,” she said.
“I look forward to continuing to work together on this once-in-lifetime opportunity for Queensland and Australia.”
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