Premier announces Cabinet economic team to drive job growth across Qld

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will lead a four-member economic team of senior Ministers in State Cabinet to drive job growth across Queensland.

The Premier will add Trade to her own responsibilities and she will chair the Cabinet Budget Review Committee, with senior Ministers to hold key economic roles.

• Deputy Premier Jackie Trad will be appointed Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
• Cameron Dick will be appointed Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Manufacturing, with responsibility for Economic Development Queensland and Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
• Kate Jones will be appointed Minister for Innovation, Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Minister for the Commonwealth Games. Minister Jones will also have responsibility for International Education.

“Almost one in three new jobs created in Australia this year have been created in Queensland.  Indeed, working with business and industry, we have created more than 130,000 jobs in our first term in office – an average of 130 new jobs every day,” she said.

“Key drivers in our jobs’ record have been record exports and tourism, turnarounds for major industries like resources and agriculture, and the development of new industries including large-scale renewables, bio-futures and becoming a major launch pad and drawcard for start-ups.”

“We are making the investments in our roads, ports and other key infrastructure to strengthen the channels for exports and tourists.  We are investing in new industries and breaking new ground through Advance Queensland initiatives.”

“These investments are paying dividends in new jobs and new opportunities for Queenslanders.”

The Premier said the economic team would work with the Cabinet and across the government to ensure it was pulling every lever, including access to fair funding from Canberra for infrastructure, health and education, to:

• deliver our election promises commitments;
• invest in key infrastructure to support local jobs, overseas exports, international and interstate tourism;
• continue to set new frontiers for jobs and investment through our Advance Queensland innovation agenda; and
• maintain our strong budget position and continue to pay down debt.

Last week, the Australian Bureau of Statistics confirmed Queensland’s jobs growth gathers pace with last month’s trend unemployment rate adjusted down from 5.9% to 5.8%.  The unemployment rate after the 2015 State election was 6.6%.

The ABS has also confirmed Queensland’s record-breaking export performance continues to strengthen with $71.4 billion in overseas sales over the 12 months – an increase of 61% during our first term.  Exports for the 12 months before the 2015 State election were $44.6 billion.

The Premier has also announced she has invited Member for Sandgate Stirling Hinchliffe, Member for Barron River Craig Crawford and Member for Bulimba Di Farmer to serve in a Cabinet of 18.

The Premier’s allocation of all portfolios will be publicly announced ahead of the swearing-in ceremony at Government House on Tuesday.  

The Labor Caucus will meet in Brisbane tomorrow.

Media contacts: Kirby Anderson 0417 263 791 or Susan McGrady 0488 996