Media Release
A Labor Government would significantly cut the number of Cabinet
Ministers and Assistant Ministers, saving $27 million in each
parliamentary term – funds that would be directed to bolster frontline
services cut by the Newman LNP Government.
Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced a Labor Cabinet would shrink to 14 Ministers compared with the current 19 Ministers in the Newman Cabinet.
In addition, Ms Palaszczuk said Assistant Minister positions – which currently number 12 under the Newman Government – would be reduced to just one under Labor.
“Most Ministerial offices in the current Newman Government cost on average between $1.3 million and $1.4 million to run,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Cutting five Cabinet positions means annual savings of $7.6 million or almost $23 million in a parliamentary term.
“In addition to its 19 Ministers – which is the legislated maximum number allowable in Queensland – the Newman Government has 12 Assistant Ministers, effectively running a Cabinet numbering 31.”
Ms Palaszczuk said under a Labor Government just one Assistant Minister would be appointed to support the Premier and be a strong voice for northern Queensland.
“A Labor Government would appoint only one Assistant Minister – as compared to the Newman Government’s 12 – and that person’s sole focus would be to represent northern Queensland,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“With a hard-working Cabinet team of 14, I can think of no good reason to swell the ranks by appointing expensive Assistant Ministers to carry out the work that Labor Ministers will be more than well-equipped to undertake.
“Based on an Assistant Minister’s annual allowance on top of their MP’s salary and office expenses averaging $460,000 a year, a Labor Government would save up to $1.3 million a year by having just one Assistant Minister or almost $4 million in each term.
“I’m serious about saving money for Queensland taxpayers and reducing spending across Ministerial offices so we can redirect $27 million over three years to bolster frontline services.
“I expect Ministers in a Labor Government to be working hard every day in their portfolio areas giving taxpayers value for money.”
Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced a Labor Cabinet would shrink to 14 Ministers compared with the current 19 Ministers in the Newman Cabinet.
In addition, Ms Palaszczuk said Assistant Minister positions – which currently number 12 under the Newman Government – would be reduced to just one under Labor.
“Most Ministerial offices in the current Newman Government cost on average between $1.3 million and $1.4 million to run,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Cutting five Cabinet positions means annual savings of $7.6 million or almost $23 million in a parliamentary term.
“In addition to its 19 Ministers – which is the legislated maximum number allowable in Queensland – the Newman Government has 12 Assistant Ministers, effectively running a Cabinet numbering 31.”
Ms Palaszczuk said under a Labor Government just one Assistant Minister would be appointed to support the Premier and be a strong voice for northern Queensland.
“A Labor Government would appoint only one Assistant Minister – as compared to the Newman Government’s 12 – and that person’s sole focus would be to represent northern Queensland,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“With a hard-working Cabinet team of 14, I can think of no good reason to swell the ranks by appointing expensive Assistant Ministers to carry out the work that Labor Ministers will be more than well-equipped to undertake.
“Based on an Assistant Minister’s annual allowance on top of their MP’s salary and office expenses averaging $460,000 a year, a Labor Government would save up to $1.3 million a year by having just one Assistant Minister or almost $4 million in each term.
“I’m serious about saving money for Queensland taxpayers and reducing spending across Ministerial offices so we can redirect $27 million over three years to bolster frontline services.
“I expect Ministers in a Labor Government to be working hard every day in their portfolio areas giving taxpayers value for money.”
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