Queensland Prime Minister Anastasia Balaszczuk says she is heading away from COVID-19 and toward economic recovery with a « major cabinet reshuffle »
Deputy Prime Minister Stephen Miles will move from the health portfolio to government development as part of the changes announced Tuesday.
Ms. Balashchuk also promoted three cabinet members after the Labor bloc vote despite only five seats being officially announced after last month’s elections.
The Prime Minister said that the government is on alert for the Coronavirus, but the cabinet reshuffle focuses on promoting economic recovery
« Now we have unemployed people, and our economy needs to recover, and we need to make sure all hands we have are on board, » she told reporters.
“I firmly believe that I have put the right people in the right positions to take on this tremendous job that we have to offer the people of this state”
Dr. Miles takes charge of the development of the country, which was under the control of Kate Jones, who retired in the elections
Attorney General Yvette Dath will take over as health minister, although the prime minister has not revealed who will replace her as the state’s first legal official
Dr. Miles, who was in front of 187 press conferences on COVID during the pandemic, said he called Chief Health Officer Janet Young to inform her earlier in the day
“But her view is that we have the virus under control here in Queensland, that the vaccine is very, very good news, and there is nothing more important we can do for people’s health and employment.”
Meanwhile, Representatives Megan Scanlon, Scott Stewart, and Leanne Lennard rose to the front seats after the party group vote
The vacancies left by Mrs. Jones and Anthony Lynham have been filled, both of whom retired after the election
Nevertheless, none of the new ministers has been granted ministerial posts, even though Ms Scanlon is a tourism candidate, and Townsville Representative Mr Stewart could take charge of regional development.
The Prime Minister said that all ministerial positions will be announced after a « major cabinet reshuffle » on Wednesday, adding that the ranks of the current cabinet members will not be demoted
Ms Palaszczuk said the new government’s first legislative priority will be the budget, which is due to be presented on November 1.
“It usually takes three to four months to compile and we do it right after the election,” she said
“So all the focus at the moment is on presenting the budget, and I know the cashier has not slept since the campaign.”
Labor is on track to retain as many as 51 seats – four more than previous numbers – as the vote count continues
It seems that the Liberal Party has lost three net seats, increasing its numbers to 35 out of 93 seats.
Annastacia Palaszczuk, Queensland Cabinet, Prime Minister, Government, Stephen Miles, Australian Labor Party (Queensland Branch), Scott Stewart
World News – African Union – Palaszczuk adjusts his cabinet after victory
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com