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    Coat of ArmsMedia Release
    Premier
    The Honourable Campbell Newman

    Darling Downs and Western Qld well represented in new LNP government

    Premier
    The Honourable Campbell Newman

    Friday, March 30, 2012

    Darling Downs and Western Qld well represented in new LNP government

    DARLING DOWNS and Western Queensland will be very well represented in Campbell Newman’s new government with senior appointments announced by the Premier today including Lawrence Springborg as Minister for Health and John McVeigh as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

    Premier Campbell Newman today said he was delighted to make the appointments that would ensure the people of the Darling Downs and Toowoomba and Western Queensland had very strong representation in his new government.

    “The days of the Darling Downs and Western Queensland being neglected and taken for granted are well and truly over,” Mr Newman said.

    “I am delighted to appoint long-serving Member for Southern Downs Lawrence Springborg as Minister for Health and newly-elected Member for Toowoomba South John McVeigh as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

    “Certainly Lawrence Springborg is well-known to all Queenslanders through his many years in Parliament in senior and party leadership roles and his role in forming the LNP.

    “Lawrence has big job in refocussing management and direction of health in Queensland which has been so poorly managed for years. Lawrence is a tireless worker and brings previous Ministerial experience to my front bench.”
    Mr Newman said John McVeigh would bring vast real-life experience to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio.
    “Raised on a grain farm at Jondaryan on the Darling Downs, John has many years of commercial and agribusiness experience in local, national and international markets. He understands how essential our agriculture sector is to Queensland.”
    Mr Newman he was also pleased to appoint newly-elected Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington as Assistant Minister for Finance, Administration and Regulatory Reform.
    “Deb grew up on a beef cattle property and a Business degree from the University of Southern Queensland and with husband Jason co-managed broad acre cropping properties while completing a Bachelor of Law at Queensland Institute of Technology. She’s understands farming, grazing, small business and is a specialist in family and property law.”
    Mr Newman said veteran western and north-western Members Howard Hobbs and Vaughan Johnson would also play key roles in government.
    Member for Gregory Vaughan Johnson will be Chief Government Whip and Member for Warrego Howard Hobbs will chair Parliament’s Transport and Local Government Committee.
    “Both Vaughan and Howard have vast experience and are highly-respected Members and will play important roles in parliament – especially mentoring new Members.”
    The Ministry will be sworn in by Her Excellency Penelope Wensley AC on Tuesday.

    [ENDS] 30 March 2012

    Media contact: Kylie Jacobson 0419 850 223
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