New Speaker announced as Crisafulli unveils assistant ministry

Condamine MP Pat Weir will preside over the 58th Queensland parliament when it sits later this month following his election as Speaker.

Premier David Crisafulli announced Weir’s nomination, which was certain to be ratified by parliament, as he unveiled his 10-member assistant ministry on Sunday, five of whom would have oversight of specific regions.

“Pat Weir is a steady hand, he’s a gentleman. He’ll be firm but fair,” Crisafulli said.

Condamine MP Pat Weir will be Queensland’s new Speaker.Credit: Facebook

“That’s exactly the parliament we want to create to deliver the kind of government that Queenslanders deserve.”

Speaking to the media on Sunday, Weir said he was honoured and humbled to be nominated.

“For there to be good government, you need a well-functioning parliament, and that is the role of the Speaker,” he said.

“I think we’ve all looked at times and thought that we’d like to see parliament a little bit more civil than it has been at times, so hopefully I can bring that.”

Crisafulli said his government’s assistant ministers would be subject to the same KPI expectations as members of his frontbench.

“We intend to make sure they’re put to work,” he said.

“I’ve been very critical of not only some of the titles that have existed, but also some of the lack of contact, so you’ll be seeing the visibility of it through their diaries.

“I’ll be sitting down with each of them when we get the chance collectively and be outlining my expectations around meetings and the work ethic that’s required and, ultimately, Queenslanders will be able to hold them accountable to that.”

Former federal senator Amanda Stoker – part of what Crisafulli called the LNP’s “generation next” – has taken her first step towards a senior leadership role, taking on the position of assistant minister for finance, trade, employment and training.

“It’s a real honour to be able to be working for them in this place for the next four years. It’s also a particular honour to have the opportunity to serve as part of the ministry and have the opportunity to contribute to the lives of Queenslanders all around the state,” Stoker said.

“I’m looking forward to drawing on my federal experience to help build a stronger economy to make Queensland the best place to work, to start and build a business, and to ensure that the opportunities for trade that Queenslanders face are better than ever before.”

Labor health spokesman Mark Bailey, speaking for the state opposition, said taxpayers would have to foot the bill for the addition of two assistant ministers.

“In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, the new premier, David Crisafulli, has blown out his salaries for LNP MPs by more than $200,000 without revealing this to Queenslanders before the election,” he said.

Bailey did, however, congratulate Weir on his imminent election.

“I’m sure he will have plenty of times in the parliament that he’ll need to crack the whip and keep people in order, and that’s what the role of the Speaker is,” he said.

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