Campbell Newman has shored up Queensland's transport agenda with not one, but two transport ministers
By David Goeldner | March 30, 2012
Former News Limited journalist Scott Emerson, pictured, is Queensland’s new ‘senior’ transport minister, after shadowing former transport minister Annastacia Palaszczuk who is now Labor’s opposition leader.
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has added some weight to the transport portfolio by appointing new Liberal National Party MP Steve Minnikin as Assistant Minister for Public Transport.
Therefore, two MPs are now looking after transport matters in Queensland.
Minnikin might know something about buses, or at least how they can get you to the shops having managed Brisbane’s eastside Alexandra Hills Shopping Centre. Emerson’s assistant also has professional experience in property development.
Between Emerson the journo, and Millikin the shopping centre boss, combined with Premier Newman’s penchant for public transport and tunnelling infrastructure, there is an expectation of several first term announcements about service improvement around the state, as well as a resolution to the Queensland Bus Industry Council’s (QBIC) lobbying efforts for improved contract deals for bus operators.
However, it’s unlikely that either Emerson or Minnikin will be available for next week’s Queensland Bus Industry Council Conference on the Gold Coast, given the new Ministers are likely to be sworn in on the day of the conference speakers’ program.
New Transport and Main Roads Director-General Michael Caltabiano meanwhile has confirmed his attendance to speak at the QBIC event next Tuesday, confirmed late this week by the Council’s Executive Director David Tape.
Also confirmed to speak on Tuesday’s program is National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Project Office Director Richard Hancock.
The QBIC conference runs from Monday April 2 to Wednesday April 4 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Broadbeach, Queensland.