Hot seat shuffle
THE State Government has once again come under criticism for appointing another new minister to take over the leadership position of one of the most important portfolios for Western Queensland.
In his first ministerial posting, Member for Thuringowa Craig Wallace will step into the leader’s shoes for the Natural Resources and Water department, after a fleeting representation by Member for North Toowoomba, Kerry Shine.
Mr Shine has now been appointed the minister assisting the Premier in Western Queensland, as well as the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice.
The constant changes have baffled everyone from the most senior political advisor right down to Mr Shine’s office staff, one of whom answered the phone last week with: "Minister for Natural… oh …Attorney-General’s office – sorry I forgot where I was…"
Rural lobby group AgForce has spoken out about the changes, with State president Peter Kenny claiming bureaucrats in the system are looking to cause conflict between his agri-political organisation and the department.
"There are counter forces at work to undermine the relationship developed between us and the government," Mr Kenny said.
Not willing to say what or who these forces are Mr Kenny reiterated that he believed that there were "bureaucrats at different levels beavering away to create conflict."
"The fact is, the department is run by bureaucrats [who are] overseen by the ministers.
"I believe that unless you get a minister with a gut feeling for the job, these bureaucrats have the potential to legislate against the agricultural industry.
"Some of these bureaucrats don’t care about nor understand the industry, they are more concerned with gaining their environmental outcomes at the stake of our viability. [They] believe that if a close working relationship between AgForce and the government is developed then they would lose power.
"They will come up with solutions that are detrimental to the viability and economic outcomes of our farmers."
The Natural Resources and Water portfolio has seen four different leaders since July 2005, a fact which Mr Kenny believes lends support to the likelihood of public servants running the department.
"You have to start out all over again when a new politician comes in. It seems you do a lot of talking with a new minister, they leave and all of that previous talking just gets lost.
"It is frustrating, because we can’t seem to find a resolution for the issues that are affecting the bush."
Admitting that he was yet to meet Mr Shine’s replacement, Mr Kenny said he was looking forward to forging a positive and strong relationship with the ‘new guy’.
"I’m a great believer in working with people, but it is frustrating having all these ministerial changes. But that’s the way life is."
Reacting to claims that the government had once again put the needs of Western Queensland on the back-burner, Mr Wallace was quick to assure the West he would "return them to the front".
"I don’t want to be a Brisbane-based politician, I will be out in Longreach as soon as possible," Mr Wallace said.
"My family has been in the region [North Queensland] since the 1890s, I picked pineapples and bananas to put myself through uni, I’m a passionate Cowboy’s supporter.
"I will be putting the issues of regional and rural Queensland to the fore."
In his first ministerial posting, Member for Thuringowa Craig Wallace will step into the leader’s shoes for the Natural Resources and Water department, after a fleeting representation by Member for North Toowoomba, Kerry Shine.
Mr Shine has now been appointed the minister assisting the Premier in Western Queensland, as well as the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice.
The constant changes have baffled everyone from the most senior political advisor right down to Mr Shine’s office staff, one of whom answered the phone last week with: "Minister for Natural… oh …Attorney-General’s office – sorry I forgot where I was…"
Rural lobby group AgForce has spoken out about the changes, with State president Peter Kenny claiming bureaucrats in the system are looking to cause conflict between his agri-political organisation and the department.
"There are counter forces at work to undermine the relationship developed between us and the government," Mr Kenny said.
Not willing to say what or who these forces are Mr Kenny reiterated that he believed that there were "bureaucrats at different levels beavering away to create conflict."
"The fact is, the department is run by bureaucrats [who are] overseen by the ministers.
"I believe that unless you get a minister with a gut feeling for the job, these bureaucrats have the potential to legislate against the agricultural industry.
"Some of these bureaucrats don’t care about nor understand the industry, they are more concerned with gaining their environmental outcomes at the stake of our viability. [They] believe that if a close working relationship between AgForce and the government is developed then they would lose power.
"They will come up with solutions that are detrimental to the viability and economic outcomes of our farmers."
The Natural Resources and Water portfolio has seen four different leaders since July 2005, a fact which Mr Kenny believes lends support to the likelihood of public servants running the department.
"You have to start out all over again when a new politician comes in. It seems you do a lot of talking with a new minister, they leave and all of that previous talking just gets lost.
"It is frustrating, because we can’t seem to find a resolution for the issues that are affecting the bush."
Admitting that he was yet to meet Mr Shine’s replacement, Mr Kenny said he was looking forward to forging a positive and strong relationship with the ‘new guy’.
"I’m a great believer in working with people, but it is frustrating having all these ministerial changes. But that’s the way life is."
Reacting to claims that the government had once again put the needs of Western Queensland on the back-burner, Mr Wallace was quick to assure the West he would "return them to the front".
"I don’t want to be a Brisbane-based politician, I will be out in Longreach as soon as possible," Mr Wallace said.
"My family has been in the region [North Queensland] since the 1890s, I picked pineapples and bananas to put myself through uni, I’m a passionate Cowboy’s supporter.
"I will be putting the issues of regional and rural Queensland to the fore."
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