Gold Coast MPs Ros Bates and Michael Hart promoted as Tim Nicholls reshuffles LNP frontbench

THE political careers of three of the Gold Coast’s most powerful conservatives have taken a severe blow after they were dumped from the LNP’s frontbench.

Ros Bates in the new Shadow Cabinet. Photo: Tara Croser.

THE political careers of three of the Gold Coast’s most powerful conservatives have taken a severe blow after the MPs were dumped from the LNP’s frontbench.

State MPs Jann Stuckey, Ray Stevens and Rob Molhoek were all relegated to the backbench by new Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls, who installed key backers in major positions following last week’s leadership spill.

Ms Stuckey was stripped of her shadow tourism portfolio while Mr Stevens was dumped as the LNP’s parliamentary tactician, replaced by former deputy premier Jeff Seeney.

Mr Molhoek, who was opposition housing and public works spokesman, joins his more senior colleagues on the backbench.

It is the first time Ms Stuckey has not been part of either the Liberal Party or LNP frontbench since the 2004 election.

The trio’s fall comes as two of their Gold Coast colleagues, Ros Bates and Michael Hart, were promoted to the frontbench.

It’s the first time Mr Hart has been given a portfolio since his 2012 election.

Mr Hart will take responsibility for energy, biofuels and water supply while Ms Bates takes on communities, child Safety, disabilities services and the prevention of family and domestic violence.

Michael Hart Member for Burleigh is in the new shadow cabinet. Photo: Claudia Baxter

Ms Bates last served on the LNP frontbench during the Newman Government before she left cabinet in early 2013.

“I am privileged to serve in the shadow ministry and I think my nursing background and being a survivor of domestic violence will give me an honest and real perspective into this portfolio,” she said.

“I look forward to working with all organisations to come up with better outcomes.”

Mr Hart said he was excited about his new position.

“I am looking forward to digging my teeth into the portfolio because it is right up my alley,” he said.

Surfers Paradise MP and recently deposed deputy leader John-Paul Langbroek retains his Commonwealth Games responsibility but has also taken on health.

Mr Nicholls said in the statement his team was “the right mix of experience, enthusiasm and new ideas, combined with a deep understanding of the issues affecting all Queenslanders”.

John-Paul Langbroek in the new Shadow Cabinet. Photo: Tara Croser.

The Palaszczuk Government took aim at Ms Stuckey’s replacement, Jon Krause, with the shadow tourism portfolio now the lowest-ranked portfolio.

Jann Stuckey will sit on the backbench after being dumped in the reshuffle. Photo: Steve Pohlner

Tourism Minister Kate Jones took aim at the Nicholls Opposition.

“It is concerning that the LNP would shunt tourism to their most junior ministry,” she said.

“Now is not the time to walk away from tourism,” she said.

“We know that we need to grow the tourism industry to grow jobs on the Gold Coast.”

Mr Nicholls last night defended the decision and said tourism remained important.

“Jon Krause is a key member of the LNP’s economic team ... tourism remains one of the pillars of Queensland’s economy,” he said.

State Parliament resumes today.