Queensland chief health officer Jeanette Young promoted to governor

Queensland’s chief health officer will be sworn in as the state’s next governor in a shock promotion - but she’s already fumbled an important question.

Dr Jeannette Young has been approved by the Queen to become Queensland’s next governor - despite the chief health officer appearing to oppose the institution of the monarchy.

The widely admired bureaucrat will be sworn in to the new role in November as reward for her leadership throughout the Covid-19 crisis.

Dr Young described the appointment as a “huge honour” and said she was focused on completing the vaccine rollout in the Sunshine State before taking over as governor.

“It will be a real privilege to be able to go across our wonderful state and talk to Queenslanders throughout the state because it has been Queenslanders who have done this over the last 18 months — they’ve given up so much for us to be where we are,” she told reporters on Monday morning.

As governor, Dr Young will be the representative of Queen Elizabeth II as Queensland’s head of state, but the CHO stopped short of revealing if she was a monarchist or a republican when quizzed by journalists.

“I think that is irrelevant in this situation,” she said with a wry smile.

“I’m here to provide a role that’s really important and I think that our process of government in Queensland and in Australia is to be envied around the world.”

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Dr Young has led the health response to the Covid-19 crisis. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Annastacia Palaszczuk said the decision to promote the public servant was a “no-brainer”, declaring Dr Young had been a “rock for Queensland through this pandemic”.

“People across Queensland have stopped me and said ‘Dr Young’s going to be our governor’,” the Premier said of the overwhelming popularity of the CHO.

“And I’m quite sure she’ll be the people’s governor because she has been with the people of this state through the most difficult challenges that our state has ever had to face.”

In the coming months, Dr Young said her focus would be on pushing the vaccine rollout ahead across the state.

“I want every adult Queenslander, 16 years of age and older, able to have at least been offered the vaccine before I become governor,” she said.

“That’s absolutely my push over the time between now and November.”

After 16 years of extraordinary hard work and dedication, our Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young, will become Queensland’s 27th Governor.

Her Majesty the Queen has approved Dr Young's appointment. She will be sworn in on Nov 1, 2021.

Congratulations Dr Young. pic.twitter.com/UacrZ9cKJ3

— Queensland Health (@qldhealthnews) June 21, 2021

The CHO said Governor Paul de Jersey would leave “big shoes to fill” and had been an “amazing governor through some very difficult times”.

Ms Palaszczuk also expressed gratitude to the outgoing governor who had “forged a path of inclusiveness”.

“Travelling widely across Queensland and welcoming many more into Government House both in the traditional sense and via his enthusiastic use of social media,” she said.

“I will miss his warmth and wisdom and thank the Governor and Kaye for their service.”

Mr de Jersey will continue in the position until the end of October to allow Dr Young to complete various milestones related to the pandemic.