Jackie Trad resigns from Qld cabinet, forcing reshuffle
Jackie Trad has resigned as deputy premier and treasurer, forcing a dramatic reshuffle at the top of the state Labor government.
Jackie Trad has resigned as Queensland deputy premier and treasurer, forcing a dramatic reshuffle at the top of the state Labor government.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Ms Trad had made the decision to go in the best interests of her family, the community and the ALP.
Ms Trad stepped aside from her ministerial roles and as deputy premier on Saturday after the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission announced an investigation into allegations that she had interfered in the appointment process of a school principal in her seat of South Brisbane. She denies any wrongdoing.
Her resignation today cleared the way for Ms Palaszczuk to appoint Health Minister Steven Miles as deputy premier, shift Cameron Dick from the state development portfolio to treasurer, promote tourism minister Kate Jones by adding state development to her responsibilities and elevate assistant minister Glenn Butcher to cabinet.
Ms Palaszczuk said she had acted swiftly and decisively after Mr Trad relinquished her roles. “She did not want there to be any distractions for the government as we respond to the Covid crisis,” the Premier said.
Ms Trad insisted on Saturday would recontest her line-ball seat of South Brisbane at the October 31 state election.
Asked today whether Ms Trad would be able to return to her senior roles if she fended off a strong challenge by the Greens for South Brisbane and if the government were re-elected, Ms Palaszczuk said: “I am not commenting on hypotheticals.”
Dr Miles was the most senior member of the parliamentary Left after Ms Trad, and his appointment as Deputy Premier reflects the faction’s commanding numbers in caucus and the state cabinet.
Shock shuffle forced by Trad move
Ms Trad – the leader of the state’s dominant Left faction – announced on Saturday that she would stand aside from her roles as Deputy Premier, Treasurer, and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships.
“Late yesterday I was advised by the CCC [Crime and Corruption Commission] that they were conducting an investigation into the recruitment and selection of the principal of the Inner City South Secondary College,” Ms Trad said.
“I will co-operate fully with this investigation … let me be clear, no applicant to the principal position was known to me in any capacity. Personal, political or professional. Further, I have never expressed a view to anyone on who should fill that role. To ensure that this is not a distraction for the Premier, and the Labor government, I advised the Premier last night I would be standing aside from my ministerial duties until the investigation is completed.”
Ms Trad said she would still run for her seat of South Brisbane at the October 31 state election.
Additional reporting: Sarah Elks
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