Qld state government welcomes new Housing Minister

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has revealed a new cabinet, in which there is a new stand-alone portfolio for Housing.

Unveiling the refreshed cabinet on Thursday (18 May), Ms Palaszczuk said the revitalised cabinet would “have an unrelenting focus on the national issues of healthcare and housing”.

Minister Meaghan Scanlon, previously the minister for the environment and the Great Barrier Reef and minister for science and youth affairs, has been named as the new Minister for Housing.

Minister Leeanne Enoch — who was minister for communities and housing, minister for digital economy, and minister for the arts — has moved to take on responsibility for Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities, and the Arts.

In the new Palaszczuk cabinet, Shannon Fentiman will take responsibility for Health and Ambulance Services, Mental Health, and Women, while Minister Di Farmer will assume responsibility for Youth Justice.

Speaking of the new cabinet, Ms Palaszczuk said she hoped the cabinet would continue to drive Queensland’s economic agenda while also tackling the issues affecting Queensland households today.

“Our government cares about Queenslanders and what they’re thinking — I have listened, and I have acted,” the Premier said.

“I’m going to use the experience I have as Premier to have a critical focus on shaping a better and fairer Queensland, now and for the future.

“I’m firmly focused on the future. And I’m firmly focused on the key issues affecting Queenslanders — as my government is.

“That’s why I have refreshed the government by refreshing the cabinet and today marks a new beginning.”

The new cabinet is as follows: