May 20, 2014
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington and Member for Pumicestone Lisa France could be heading for roles in Cabinet following a State Government ministry reshuffle.
Mrs Frecklington has been appointed to the position of Assistant Minister to the Premier.
Her role as Assistant Minister for Finance will be taken up by Mrs France, while Mrs France’s current role as Assistant Mines Minister will go to a ministry newcomer, Pine Rivers MP Seath Holswich.
Premier Campbell Newman said this afternoon the roles would provide the two female MPs with experience in the critical departments of Treasury and the Premier.
While he stopped short of guaranteeing them Cabinet positions, he said he wanted to see women “advanced in my team, in high leadership positions”.
“This is about developing their skills as future Cabinet ministers,” he told AAP.
“It’s important that women in my team be given opportunities to have experience of the central agencies of government, and see how the Treasury and Premier’s department work.”
Mr Newman said Mrs Frecklington had excelled in her current role and deserved her appointment to the important position.
Her responsibilities will include working on the upcoming G20 Leaders Summit which will be held on November 15-16 in Brisbane.
“The G20 Leaders Summit will be one of the most significant events in Queensland’s history, putting us on the international stage,” Mr Newman said.
“We want to show the world how great Queensland is and also maximise the long-term benefits to the state of hosting the G20.
“Deb will play a vital role in ensuring this happens.”
Mrs Frecklington said her new role would be a great opportunity to put the spotlight on regional areas.
She said she was looking forward to the challenges her new role would present.
“I am very excited to be able to assist the Premier in this role, but it won’t distract me from what I love doing most, and that is representing the people of the Nanango Electorate,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“In fact, I think this will be a great chance for me to work even harder for my electorate by being in a position to highlight regional issues.
“Without a doubt the last two years in my role as Assistant Minister to the Treasurer has given me a solid platform and I really enjoyed the role.
“This is a new challenge and will help me further understand the workings of government. I understand my first job will be to work with the team delivering the G20 Leaders Summit in Brisbane at the end of the year.”
She will be officially sworn in at ceremony at Government House next week.
The ministry reshuffle follows the sacking of Assistant Health Minister Chris Davis after Dr Davis broke ranks with the government during the recent doctors’ work contracts dispute. Dr Davis’ role has been scrapped.
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