Queensland politics: Fiona Simpson quits shadow ministry due to father’s ill health

WITH a Queensland Cabinet reshuffle due on Friday, the Opposition is making some changes of its own.

Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson wants to spend more time with her seriously ill father.

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QUEENSLAND’S Opposition has announced a reshuffle of its own, revealing Fiona Simpson has resigned from the Opposition front bench and will be replaced by Member for Chatsworth Steve Minnikin.

As Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk prepared to reveal her Cabinet reshuffle tomorrow following the resignation of Stirling Hinchliffe as transport minister, Mr Nicholls revealed he was making changes too after Miss Simpson resigned due to a family illness.

“Today I have informed Leader of the Opposition Tim Nicholls that I am resigning as a member of the shadow ministry, effective immediately, but I am continuing as the Member for Maroochydore,” Ms Simpson said in a statement.

“This decision to resign from the shadow cabinet has not been easy.

“However I have made it so I can devote more time to caring for a seriously ill member of my family.

“As close friends and colleagues know, my dad Gordon is fighting cancer, and I need to be closer to home rather than travelling through regional and remote parts of Queensland at this time.”

Ms Simpson said she would still be contesting the next election, however.

Mr Nicholls said Mr Minnikin would take over as Opposition spokesman for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships and multicultural affairs.

Member for Gympie Tony Perrett will replace Mr Minnikin as Deputy Opposition Whip.