Simpson handed Indigenous affairs portfolio in Qld

By PETER ROWE 

One of the longest serving MPs in the Queensland parliament, Fiona Simpson, has been given the women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships and multiculturalism portfolios in the new LNP government.

Ms Simpson, the member for Maroochydore since 1992, served as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland from 2012 to 2015.

With election counting nearly complete, the LNP is set to secure a majority of 53 seats to Labor’s 35.

The Liberal National Party’s cabinet was officially sworn in on Friday, with new ministries including victim support, home ownership, customer services, open data and integrity.

Premier David Crisafulli has rewarded senior leadership with some of the biggest ministries in his 19-strong team after the LNP ended Labor’s nine-year reign.

“I promised Queenslanders the same experienced faces who have been fighting for a fresh start for Queensland would be the same ones to deliver it,” he said.