A new team: to Get Queensland Moving
Monday, 8 May, 2016
As we travel around this great state people stop us in the street, at coffee shops, at community events and ask us
what’s happening in Queensland.
They are worried Queensland is grinding to a halt because of a frozen at the wheel Labor Government.
Thousands of Queenslanders used to go to work each and every day without worrying about their government, but
this has clearly changed. Queenslanders are unsure if this minority Labor/Independent/Katter Party Government is
going to look after them or its union mates.
Rightly, Queenslanders want to know how the Labor Government is transitioning the Queensland economy from the
mining boom to a more diversified economy with greater opportunity for all Queenslanders.
Sadly Queenslanders are being let down. Labor has no plan to manage the transition of the Queensland economy,
grow jobs or invest in the services Queenslanders need and deserve.
The LNP is determined to Get Queensland Moving.
The team we announced today is the right mix of experience, enthusiasm and new ideas, combined with a deep
understanding of the issues affecting all Queenslanders from Cape York to Coolangatta and from Brisbane to
Bedourie.
Queenslanders can have confidence that our team will deliver the plans and policies to Get Queensland Moving.
While New South Wales and Victoria continue to create more jobs, invest in more infrastructure and deliver more
services, Queensland is frozen. Our children’s future is being put at risk as Queensland falls further behind and
opportunities dry up.
We are determined to hold this incompetent Labor/Independent/Katter Party Government to account.
Economy
We all know that a strong economy is the foundation of a more prosperous Queensland. It supports jobs, growth,
opportunity, innovation and, most of all, the aspirations of millions of Queenslanders. Our economic team, made up
of myself and my Deputy Deb Frecklington, Scott Emerson, Jarrod Bleijie, Andrew Cripps, Andrew Powell, Ian
Walker, Dale Last, Michael Hart and Jon Krause will focus on plans and policies that will build a more diverse and
robust Queensland economy, now and for future generations. This team will hold Labor to account for its lack of
action in creating jobs and growth.
Given the importance of small business to the Queensland economy and the hard work of millions of small business
owners, we have combined the portfolio of the Shadow Treasurer with the Small Business portfolio.
Productivity growth is essential to Queensland’s economy. Easing congestion and building the infrastructure to
ensure we get product to market and people to work on time will be the focus of Deb Frecklington and Andrew
Powell as they develop a plan to unleash Queensland’s potential.
Communities champion Tracy Davis moves to the vital portfolio of Education. Education in the 21st century is more
about job readiness, employment and participation in the fabric of Queensland society than ever before. Focusing on
outcomes, rather than inputs, Tracy, assisted by Jarrod Bleijie, will work to ensure Queensland students are the best
in the nation.
The rapidly changing nature of work resulting from the shift away from the mining boom challenges the way we
think about employment now and into the future. The jobs of tomorrow and the technological advances that make
innovation possible will be Tarnya Smith’s focus.
Of critical importance to Queensland’s future is our agricultural sector. Rural champion Dale Last, with his family
background in cane farming and cattle, has more than 15 years’ experience in the agriculture sector and will bring
energy, understanding and experience to this vital portfolio.
Strong advocates for North Queensland, Andrew Cripps and Jason Costigan, will continue the LNP’s commitment to
this region’s development and highlight Labor’s neglect of a part of Queensland that plays a critical role in
Queensland’s economy.
Environment
Queensland is a place of natural beauty and wonder, with an abundance of environmental heritage. The protection of
our natural environment for future generations is critical to both our economy and the envied Queensland lifestyle.
Recognising this, Dr Christian Rowan and Andrew Cripps will lift the profile and importance of our environment
within our team.
Services
Critical to all Queensland families is the provision of quality and timely health services. John-Paul Langbroek, as the
new Shadow Health Minister, with an abundance of experience and first-hand knowledge, will hold Labor to
account for deteriorating patient outcomes within Queensland’s health system and ballooning waiting lists.
Ros Bates, with her personal experience and commitment to caring for Queenslanders as a nurse, takes on
responsibility for Communities, Child Safety, Disability Services and the Prevention of Domestic and Family
Violence. Former QBuild employee Stephen Bennett will take on the important task of highlighting Labor’s
mismanagement of the Housing and Public Works portfolio.
Each day thousands of Queenslanders go to work to protect and serve our community. Tim Mander, together with
Ian Walker, will continue to fight against the Labor Government’s watering down of anti-criminal gang laws. The
LNP is determined to ensure criminal gangs aren’t allowed back in business.
Ethnic communities across Queensland have made, and continue to make, a huge contribution to our economy and
social fabric. Fiona Simpson, an experienced servant of the people of Queensland, has the important role of building
relationships and bringing issues of concern to the Shadow Cabinet table. Fiona will be a strong advocate on behalf
Australia’s first people.
Matt McEachan will be an important asset to the Leader of the Opposition as our LNP team focuses on holding
Labor to account.
With energy, experience and enthusiasm, the LNP team will Get Queensland Moving.
The new team to Get Queensland Moving is:
Tim Nicholls
Deb Frecklington
Michael Hart
Tarnya Smith
Stephen Bennett
Jon Krause
Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister for Arts and Major Events
Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, State
Development, Trade and Investment
Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Small Business
Shadow Minister for Health and Ambulance Services and Shadow Minister for the
Commonwealth Games
Shadow Minister for Education
Shadow Minister for Employment, Industrial Relations, Skills and Training and
Shadow Minister for Fair Trading
Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Shadow Minister for Local
Government
Shadow Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Shadow Minister for
Corrective Services
Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Mines and Shadow Minister for Northern
Development
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Shadow Minister for the Environment and Heritage Protection and Shadow Minister
for National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef
Shadow Attorney-General and Shadow Minister for Justice and Planning
Shadow Minister Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multicultural
Affairs
Shadow Minister for Communities, Child Safety, Disabilities Services and the
Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence
Shadow Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply
Shadow Minister for Science, Innovation and the Digital Economy
Shadow Minister for Housing and Public Works
Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Racing
Matt McEachan
Jason Costigan
Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition
Shadow Assistant Minister for North Queensland
Jeff Seeney
Trevor Watts
Steve Minnikin
Leader of Opposition Business
Chief Opposition Whip
Deputy Whip
Scott Emerson
John-Paul Langbroek
Tracy Davis
Jarrod Bleijie
Andrew Powell
Tim Mander
Andrew Cripps
Dale Last
Dr Christian Rowan
Ian Walker
Fiona Simpson
Ros Bates
Media contact: Kate Haddan 0437 334 769