Ex-senator returns to frontline in troubled ministry
Andrew Stafford |
A former federal senator has completed a frontline political comeback after being sworn into a sensitive state portfolio left vacant by the resignation of an embattled minister.
Amanda Stoker was appointed Queensland’s Minister for Domestic and Family Violence and Child Safety on Saturday, replacing Amanda Camm.
Ms Stoker said she looked forward to playing a greater role in David Crisafulli’s Liberal National government.
But the high-profile and often controversial ex-senator, known for her hardline views on social issues, was under no illusions about the job in front of her.
She acknowledged the difficulty of taking on a troubled ministry plagued by controversies during Ms Camm’s tenure.
“It’s a heavy responsibility given the vulnerability of many of the people to whom this portfolio relates,” Ms Stoker said.
“This is, I don’t think it’s a shock to say, a difficult area in which to work.
“But I came to the Queensland parliament to do hard things and will leave nothing in the tank.”
Touted as a future state premier, Ms Stoker hit back when asked if she was being set up to fail.
“I’ve been given the greatest privilege a Queenslander can have, and that’s the opportunity to serve them in solving hard problems,” she said.
Queensland Council of Social Services CEO Aimee McVeigh welcomed Ms Stoker’s appointment at what she said was a critical time.
“Right now, one in four Queensland children are not meeting key developmental milestones,” she said.
“The Queensland government’s reform agenda must keep children safe while at the same time ensuring families and communities can access the essentials they need.”
Ms Stoker served as a Queensland senator from 2018 to 2022 in Scott Morrison’s government.
She held the roles of Assistant Minister for Women and Industrial Relations and Assistant to the Attorney-General.
After an internal stoush saw her relegated to third spot on the Queensland Senate voting ticket, she lost her seat to the Greens in 2022.
She quickly transitioned, winning the state seat of Oodgeroo, taking in the Redlands districts in Brisbane’s outer southeast as well as Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).
As a federal senator, Ms Stoker was outspoken on abortion, frequently addressing pro-life rallies.
But she has remained quiet on the issue since, with Premier David Crisafulli gagging debate on the subject.
“I’ve been a member of this government for two years and have supported the government’s position on this issue consistently,” she said.
Abortion was legalised by Annastacia Paluszczuk’s former Labor government under the Termination of Pregnancy Act 2018.
Ms Camm quit on Friday citing concerns for her health after returning from six weeks medical leave.
She also voiced fears for her safety after the alleged attack on federal MP Helen Haines, saying she had also been the target of threats.
Ms Camm had been under sustained pressure after a series of child safety failures.
Recent data showed the number of Queensland children known to safety authorities who had died had gone up almost 60 per cent in a year.
In June, it was revealed children in state care were sleeping on mattresses in government offices.
A bungled rollout of an IT system costing $183 million left child safety officers unable to access vital information, including time-sensitive court orders, for at-risk children.
Domestic and family violence services were cut by $38.5 million in the state budget.
Thuringowa MP Natalie Marr is Queensland’s new Assistant Finance Minister.
AAP