Who’s in, who’s out: New-look Queensland cabinet to take shape after meeting

At least two new faces will be elevated to the cabinet formed by incoming Queensland premier Steven Miles at a meeting of the Labor government’s 52-member parliamentary team on Friday.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey and Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe have announced they will not be among the leadership group taking the government to the October 2024 election.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles wrangles his newly sworn-in cabinet colleagues for a selfie at Government House after the 2020 election. At least three faces will no longer feature after Friday – most significantly Annastacia Palaszczuk.Credit: Matt Dennien

Hinchliffe had already declared he would retire from his seat of Sandgate at the election.

Bailey announced on Wednesday he would “step aside” from cabinet but would run as MP for Miller.

The cabinet reshuffle would follow outgoing Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s formal resignation and MPs signing off on Miles and Cameron Dick as the new leader and deputy about 10am.

Dick and Miles will meet Governor Jeannette Young after Friday’s caucus meeting to be sworn into their new roles. Miles is then planned to make a speech at 2pm.

Dick – who would retain his role as Treasurer – said on Thursday discussions were continuing throughout the day on what else would take place at that meeting.

“We know we have two vacancies now and they will necessarily have to be filled at that caucus meeting, but there are discussions that are ongoing,” Dick said.

“These events don’t happen very often – they happen very rarely indeed, where a leadership team is elected in the middle of a parliamentary term – so it’s a very significant meeting of our parliamentary party.”

Education Minister Grace Grace, who also holds portfolios including industrial relations and racing, appeared with Miles and Dick at their media conference on Tuesday and was expected to remain in cabinet.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon, the only other minister present, was also expected to remain in the group, along with Miles’ brief leadership challenger, Health Minister Shannon Fentiman.

At that media conference, and others since, Miles and Dick declined to detail the conversations or considerations taking place about other ministers.

They would not be drawn when asked if Police Minister Mark Ryan might be moved into the Attorney-General role, currently held by Yvette D’Ath.

While not confirmed, assistant ministers Charis Mullen – who holds the Springfield-based seat of Jordan – and Cairns-based Michael Healy have been repeatedly named as potential promotions.

Reporting has also suggested Water Minister Glenn Butcher might be moved into a new role, and Child Safety Minister Craig Crawford moved out of cabinet.

The significant overhaul would follow a cabinet “refresh” in May as Palaszczuk sought to address criticism of the government’s handling of health, housing and youth justice pressures.

Labor MPs’ factional allegiances and agreements around the allocations of cabinet seats will play a role.

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