Assistant Ministers will strengthen regional presence for Palaszczuk Government

Five Assistant Ministers will strengthen the Palaszczuk Government’s presence and its delivery for regional Queensland, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

“My Government represents Queensland from the Torres Strait to the Gold Coast and all major regional centres in between – including Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone and Maryborough,” she said.

“We are determined to continue to work with businesses, communities and local government across Queensland to ensure we maximise the opportunities for creating jobs and delivering frontline services, particularly in areas of health of education.”

The Premier said the Assistant Ministers will support senior Cabinet Ministers and are drawn from across regional Queensland.

The Assistant Ministers are in addition to the 18-member Cabinet, including Townsville-based Minister Coralee O’Rourke and incoming Minister Craig Crawford representing Barron River, to be sworn in at Government House tomorrow.

The Assistant Ministers to be sworn in are:

•             Assistant Minister for Veterans Affairs and Assistant Minister of State Jennifer Howard (Ipswich)

•             Assistant Minister for Treasury Glenn Butcher (Gladstone)

•             Assistant Minister for State Development Julieanne Gilbert (Mackay)

•             Assistant Minister for Education Brittany Lauga (Keppel)

•             Assistant Minister for Tourism Industry Development Meaghan Scanlon (Gold Coast)

Ms Howard said:

“I’m delighted to be working as the Premier’s Assistant Minister. I will be a strong voice for the Ipswich region as I have been for the last three years.”

Mr Butcher said:

“The move into Treasury is a challenging role and I look forward to continue to work with the Deputy Premier and representing central Queensland.”

Mrs Gilbert said:

“It’s really exciting to be the Assistant Minister representing Mackay, Whitsunday and Mirani and to work with the Minister for State Development. This region is the heart of the mining industry, particularly the engineering sector. There is so much potential. I’m looking forward to being the champion for the region.”

Ms Lauga said:

“I can’t wait to get started to working alongside the Minister for Education. I’m passionate about Education. My mum has been a teacher for 25 years. I’ve grown up understanding the importance of quality education for all Queensland children.”

Ms Scanlon said:

“It’s incredibly exciting to represent the region (the Gold Coast) that I grew up in and make sure we have quality Labor representation on the Gold Coast after we have had wall-to-wall LNP representation and taken for granted by them.”

Link picture of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Deputy Premier Jackie Trad meeting with Assistant Ministers (from left) Brittany Lauga, with baby Odette, Jennifer Howard, Meaghan Scanlon, Glenn Butcher and Julieanne Gilbert https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ygil0qv8ufagzet/AACeuJYEVL_CVdYPpR7IuJFCa?dl=0&preview=A457A0144.jpg

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Premier’s office) 0417 263 791