LNP shadow ministry unveiled — with Tim Nicholls off front bench
FORMER LNP leader Tim Nicholls has been left off the party’s new front bench, as his successor Deb Frecklington hits reset.
QLD Politics
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD Politics. Followed categories will be added to My News.
FORMER LNP leader Tim Nicholls has been left off the party’s new front bench, as his successor Deb Frecklington talks up her revitalised team.
Ms Frecklington confirmed Mr Nicholls had not been offered a shadow minister but would instead be put forward to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk as the LNP’s pick for chairman of the powerful parliamentary crime and corruption committee.
Ms Frecklington’s portfolio’s will mirror Ms Palaszczuk’s trade portfolio and her deputy, Tim Mander, will hold the same treasury responsibilities as Deputy Premier Jackie Trad.
Andrew Powell, in state development, manufacturing, infrastructure and planning and Fiona Simpson, in employment, small business, training and skills development, will round out the LNP’s core economic team.
“When elected Liberal National Party leader three days ago, I said Tim and I would push the reset button,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Today, I take the first step by unveiling our Shadow Cabinet to keep Labor to account and they will work their butts off to earn back the trust of Queenslanders.
“It is a mix of experience and new faces.”
She said her team had been told to earn the trust and respect of Queenslanders in their new jobs.
Ros Bates has also been elevated to a senior role in health, ambulance services and women.
Jarrod Bleijie will oversee education, industrial relations and act as the manager of opposition business.
Up-and-comer David Crisafulli will handle the environment portfolios and has been asked to hone his attacks on Labor and the Greens in that space.
John-Paul Langbroek, who unsuccessfully ran against Ms Frecklington at Tuesday’s leadership ballot, will take on the sport, racing, multicultural affairs and Commonwealth Games portfolios.
Ms Frecklington denied this was a junior role for the experienced parliamentarian, arguing Labor’s mismanagement of the Eagle Farm track was a key issue.
Full LNP shadow ministry
Deb Frecklington: Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister for Trade
Tim Mander: Deputy Opposition Leader and Shadow Treasurer
Andrew Powell: Shadow Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning
Fiona Simpson: Shadow Minister for Employment, Small Business, Training and Skills Development
Ros Bates: Shadow Minister for Health Ambulance Services and Women
Jarrod Bleijie: Shadow Minister for Education and Industrial Relations, Manager of Opposition Business
David Janetzki: Shadow Attorney-General and Shadow Minister for Justice
Steve Minnikin: Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads
Dale Last: Shadow Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Northern Queensland
Trevor Watts: Shadow Minister for Police, Counterterrorism and Corrective Services
David Crisafulli: Shadow Minister for Environment, Science, the Great Barrier Reef and Tourism
Tony Perrett: Shadow Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Forestry
Michael Hart: Shadow Minister for Housing, Public Works, Energy, Innovation and Digital Technology
Ann Leahy: Shadow Minister for Local Government
Dr Christian Rowan: Shadow Minister for Communities, Disability Services, Seniors, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, and the Arts
John-Paul Langbroek: Shadow Minister for Sport and Racing, Multicultural Affairs and the Commonwealth Games
Stephen Bennett: Shadow Minister for Child Safety, Youth, Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence and Veterans
Lachlan Millar: Shadow Minister for Fire, Emergency Services and Volunteers
Sam O’Connor: Shadow Assistant Minister to the Opposition Leader and Shadow Assistant Minister for Youth
Dan Purdie: Shadow Assistant Minister for Treasury
David Batt: Shadow Assistant Minister for State Development
Simone Wilson: Shadow Assistant Minister for Education
Brent Mickelberg: Shadow Assistant Minister for Tourism Industry Development
Rob Molhoek: Chief Opposition Whip
Mark Boothman: Deputy Opposition Whip
Tim Nicholls: Chairman of parliamentary crime and corruption committee
$135m health bungle: Minister’s apology to affected businesses
Health Minister Steven Miles has apologised to businesses that have suffered delays because of the new Queensland Health payment system.
Hundreds of staff underpaid at Queensland utility
A Queensland Government-owned utility corporation has underpaid hundreds of its senior staff for more than a decade in a bungle that could have ripped off up to a quarter of its workforce.