WATERFORD MP Shannon Fentiman has picked up the state’s notoriously most challenging ministry.
In a state government reshuffle that targets areas of criticism, including health, housing and youth justice, Ms Fentiman will swap key roles with health predecessor Yvette D’Ath.
The reshuffle comes as their leader Annastacia Palaszczuk records her lowest approval rating since the 2015 election.
While Ms Fentiman’s new role was seen as a big win for the well-respected minister, Algester MP Leeanne Enoch was taken out of her housing role.
Ms Fentiman retains her portfolio as Minister for Women, while Ms Enoch will focus on portfolios promoting indigenous affairs.
Ms Fentiman said it was a position the premier asked her to take, and a challenge she was “up for”.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to be appointed as the minister for health,” Ms Fentiman said. “But we know that there are huge challenges and pressures across the system.”
In her first full day as health minister, Ms Fentiman travelled north.
She said this was the start of her mission to travel the state and “shake hands” with health industry experts and professionals to learn what’s needed on the front line.
Ms Fentiman named several of the industry’s issues she would be prioritising.
“We know there are pressures in our ambulance services, wait times in emergency and elective surgery, but also women’s health,” she said.
“I am really proud to have the title of health, mental health, ambulance services and women.
“Women deserve to have access to health services closer to home and that will also be one of my top priorities.”
She said she wasn’t worried about the quality of attorney general affairs as the role was returned to Redcliffe member Yvette D’Ath, who left the position in 2020.
Other portfolio changes impacted Algester member Leeanne Enoch, who no longer presides over housing, but has made history by becoming the first Indigenous women to be the minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships, and minister for treaty.
“I can’t tell you how thrilled and proud I was when I was asked [to take on the new portfolio],” Ms Enoch said.
“It is a profound moment in our history.”
The premier agreed there was “no better person” to take on the portfolio.
Ms Enoch said she was prepared to bring her “lived experiences” to her new role, and acknowledged the expectations put on her as an Indigenous woman.
“Since the very first day I was elected, as the very first Aboriginal person ever to be in cabinet, the pressure has always been on my shoulders,” she said.
Ms Enoch will continue her role as communities and arts minister, but housing portfolio is now under the youthful eye of Meaghan Scanlon, the former environment minister.
Other Logan representatives retained their positions, including Woodridge member, state treasurer, and minister for trade and investment, Cameron Dick; and Springwood member and minister for energy, renewables and hydrogen, and public works and procurement, Mick de Brenni.
