Mayors push for Scott Stewart, Glenn Butcher to become mine Minister
There is growing support from North Queensland mayors to appoint a new Mines Minister from the region.
Townsville
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There is growing support from North Queensland mayors to appoint a new Mines Minister from the region.
Charters Towers Mayor Frank Beveridge is backing Scott Stewart, a former school principal, to take up the Natural Resources, Mines and Energy portfolio.
It comes as a senior government source told the Townsville Bulletin Mr Stewart could be named as a Minister when the Cabinet is announced later this month.
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“I’ve spoken to six mayors in the North Queensland area, which each have mining in their area, and we agree that the appointee should be from North Queensland,” Cr Beveridge said.
“The fact that Big Rocks Weir is also the only weir which is fully funded in Queensland means it makes even more sense to have the appointed Minister in close proximity to the project.
Cr Beveridge cited Mr Stewart’s locale and his experience in parliament as reason enough to be appointed.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill backed the call, saying Mr Stewart understood the importance of the resources sector to North Queensland.
Mr Stewart said the make-up for the Cabinet was a matter for the Premier but he was “honoured to be even considered” for the role usually held by more senior MPs.
Mr Stewart leads the race for the seat of Townsville, with 36.47 per cent of the vote, but is yet to be declared.
Townsville LNP candidate John Hathaway conceded defeat yesterday.
“At lunchtime I made a call to Scott Stewart to congratulate him on being re-elected to represent Townsville in the 57th parliament for Queensland. I also wished him well on his potential to be part of the new Cabinet, as the North was loudly crying out for strong representation at the highest forum of the Queensland government,” Mr Hathaway said in a statement.
The government source told the Bulletin Aaron Harper was also an option for the next Cabinet. Mr Harper could be in the running for either Fire and Emergency Services Minister or Ambulance Minister.
Originally published as Mayors push for Scott Stewart, Glenn Butcher to become mine Minister