Vanessa Hall
Editor
THE QUEENSLAND State Election which was held on Saturday, October 26 saw the LNP take a majority of seats and will now serve in government for the next four years, this win comes after a tenure of just under ten years by the ALP.
Apart from the seat of Noosa, which was retained by independent Sandy Bolton, the Sunshine Coast is a sea of blue with the LNP in all seats from Glass House to Gympie.
New Premier David Crisafulli who campaigned heavily on the key issues of youth crime, housing affordability, health, and cost of living has stated that he is ready to deliver a “fresh start for Queensland.”
“Queenslanders have entrusted us to deliver for Queensland, ending the crises in youth crime, health, housing and cost of living, and that’s what we’ll do with Ministers starting work today,” Premier Crisafulli said.
In a Queensland-first, new ministries will empower the LNP Government to provide targeted frontline support to Queenslanders including Victim Support, Home Ownership, Customer Services, Open Data and Integrity.
Cabinet will consist of an experienced and capable team that has led the LNP for the past four years.
“This ministry puts community safety front and centre of government, with Laura Gerber in Youth Justice and Victim Support, Dan Purdie in Police, Deb Frecklington as Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, and Amanda Camm as Minister for Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence,” Premier Crisafulli said.
“These Ministers will have a laser-like focus on restoring safety where you live and reducing the number of Queenslanders falling victim to crime.”
Mr Crisafulli said cost of living, housing and health would also be priorities for the Cabinet.
POLICE MINISTER DAN PURDIE
Ninderry MP Dan Purdie said he was honoured to be serving as a Minister in a role close to his heart.
“Thirty years ago I swore an oath to serve and protect the people of Queensland as a Queensland Police Officer. As part of the LNP Crisafulli Government, I have been privileged to be sworn in to serve as the Queensland Minister for Police and Emergency Services.
“In this role, I will do everything in my power to ensure our police and emergency service workers have all the tools and support they need to keep themselves and Queenslanders safe,” Mr Purdie stated.
Mr Purdie did hit the ground running, visiting Police in central Brisbane just last weekend.
“One of my priorities is to travel the state to hear concerns from police who have been stretched for too long in their desperate attempts to curb young offending and the increase in domestic and family violence offences.
“As Minister, I will be working hard to support the Premier to introduce the Making Our Community Safer Plan before the end of the year. This Plan encompasses the Adult Time for Adult Crime laws; increasing the number of police on the beat through retention and attraction; introducing early intervention programs to divert young people from crime; and a rehabilitation program to reduce the likelihood of them reoffending.”
FIONA SIMPSON’S APPOINTMENTS
Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson was also appointed to key positions.
“I’m honoured to be asked by Premier David Crisafulli to serve in the roles of Women and Women’s Economic Security, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, and Multiculturalism.
“We went to the election… with a particular focus on the priorities of crime, cost of living, housing and health. These will also be the priorities in these portfolios as we work together with communities. For example, access to housing is a huge issue on the Sunshine Coast with women over 55 particularly vulnerable. We have a housing plan to release more housing,” Ms Simpson said.
Ms Simpson stated that she too would also be hitting the ground running.
“First things first, I will be on the road and meeting people in their own communities. These are diverse roles with diverse constituencies who need to be heard as to how best to meet the gap in services and other key issues.”
NOOSA MP SANDY BOLTON
Independent Member for Noosa Sandy Bolton congratulated the LNP on the win.
“It has been very much an ‘edge of seat’ election, and no doubt everyone is excited and working hard in readiness for the first Parliamentary sitting.
“We look forward to working with all MPs and government in continuing to achieve really good outcomes for Noosa as well as broader Queensland.
“Congratulations to all of our new Ministers and Members of Parliament, and to the LNP for forming a majority Government.”
Local Ministerial appointments include:
JARROD BLEIJIE (Kawana) – Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations.
BRENT MICKELBERG (Buderim) – Minister for Transport and Main Roads.
ANDREW POWELL (Glass House) – Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation.
DAN PURDIE (Ninderry) – Minister for Police and Emergency Services.
FIONA SIMPSON (Maroochydore) – Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Multiculturalism.
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