Queensland Cabinet Reshuffle

10 February 2017

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a Cabinet reshuffle this morning, arising from the resignation of Stirling Hinchliffe as Transport and Commonwealth Games Minister earlier this week. Mr Hinchliffe stepped down from the portfolios following release of the Strachan Report into the Queensland Rail (QR) driver shortage; the Report made no adverse finding against any minister.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad has been appointed Transport Minister, with the Premier commending Ms Trad’s experience and toughness, saying these are the qualities needed to deliver the best possible rail services for Queensland. The Deputy Premier will work with QR Chairman Phillip Strachan, acting CEO Neil Scales and Citytrain Response Unit Head Jacqui Walters to deliver the recommendations of the Strachan Report. The Infrastructure and Planning portfolios will also remain with the Deputy Premier.

The Commonwealth Games portfolio has been returned to Education, Tourism and Major Events Minister Kate Jones. The Premier praised Ms Jones’ strong performance when in the role in 2015, and indicated the support of Gold Coast City Council Mayor Tom Tate assisted with her return to the portfolio. Ms Jones will work with Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) Chairman Peter Beattie to deliver the Commonwealth Games in April next year.

Member for Ferny Grove Mark Furner has been elevated to Cabinet as Minister for Local Government and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships.

In other notable changes, Curtis Pitt now holds responsibility for the Trade and Investment portfolio, Mick de Brenni has added Sport to his ministerial responsibilities, and Glenn Butcher has been appointed Assistant Minister for Transport and Infrastructure.

A summary of the appointments are listed below.

Hon. Jackie Trad MP (Member for South Brisbane)

Deputy Premier
Minister for Transport
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning

Hon. Curtis Pitt MP (Member for Mulgrave)

Treasurer
Minister for Trade and Investment

Hon. Kate Jones MP (Member for Ashgrove)

Minister for Education
Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Commonwealth Games

Hon. Mick de Brenni MP (Member for Springwood)

Minister for Housing and Public Works
Minister for Sport

Hon. Mark Furner MP (Member for Ferny Grove)

Minister for Local Government
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships

Mr Glenn Butcher MP (Member for Gladstone)

Assistant Minister for Transport and Infrastructure