Beattie ministry explained

The Beattie Ministry was a Ministry of the Government of Queensland, led by Labor Premier Peter Beattie. It commenced on 26 June 1998, thirteen days after the Borbidge Ministry, led by Premier Rob Borbidge of the National Party, was defeated at the 1998 election. It was followed by the Bligh Ministry upon Beattie's retirement as Premier on 13 September 2007.

Overview

The election produced an unusual result—Labor did not gain any net seats in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, maintaining 44 of 89, or one short of a governing majority, but the National-Liberal coalition which had governed with the support of Independent Liz Cunningham was reduced from 44 to 32 due mainly to the rise of Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party in their rural heartland. After negotiations between the Labor Party, Cunningham and a new independent, Peter Wellington, the latter announced on 25 June 1998 that he would support a minority Labor government on votes of confidence in return for specific commitments on accountability. The following day, Labor leader Peter Beattie and his deputy, Jim Elder, were sworn in by the Governor of Queensland as a two-man cabinet. Three days later, on 29 June 1998, they resigned so that a full ministry chosen by Caucus could be sworn in.

First Ministry

On 29 June 1998, a full ministry of 18 cabinet ministers and 4 parliamentary secretaries was sworn in. It served until the reconstitution of the Ministry on 22 February 2001 following the 2001 election.

The list below is ordered by decreasing seniority within the Cabinet, as indicated by the Government Gazette and the Hansard index.

OfficeMinister
Premier
Minister for State Development and Trade (26–30 November 2000)
Peter Beattie, BA, LL.B., MA, MP
Deputy Premier
Minister for State Development and Trade
Jim Elder, MP
(until 22 November 2000)
Leader of the House
Minister for Communication and Information
Minister for Local Government and Planning (until 30 November 2000)
Minister for Rural Communities (until 16 December 1999)
Minister for Sport (from 16 December 1999)
Deputy Premier (from 30 November 2000)
Minister for State Development and Trade (from 30 November 2000)
Terry Mackenroth, MP
Minister for Tourism
Minister for Sport and Racing
Bob Gibbs, MP
(until 14 December 1999)
TreasurerDavid Hamill, BA(Hons), MA(Oxon), FCIT, FAICD, MP
Minister for Employment and Training
Minister for Industrial Relations
Paul Braddy, LL.B., MP
Deputy Premier
Minister for State Development and Trade
(22–26 November 2000)
Attorney-General
Minister for Justice
Minister for the Arts
Matt Foley, BA, BSW, LL.B.(Hons), MP
Minister for HealthWendy Edmond, DipRadiog, DipNuclMed, MP
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
Tom Barton, MP
Minister for Mines and Energy
Minister assisting the Deputy Premier on Regional Development
Tony McGrady, MP
Minister for Transport
Minister for Main Roads
Steve Bredhauer, DipTeach, MP
Minister for EducationDean Wells, BA(Hons), MA, LL.B., MP
Minister for Public Works
Minister for Housing
Robert Schwarten, BEd, DipTeach, MP
Minister for Families
Minister for Youth and Community Care
Minister for Disability Services
Anna Bligh, BA, MP
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Policy
Minister for Women's Policy
Minister for Fair Trading
Judy Spence, BA, DipTeach, MP
Minister for Environment and Heritage
Minister for Natural Resources
Rod Welford, BA(Hons), LL.B., GradDipLegPrac, MSc(Env), MP
Minister for Primary Industries
Minister for Rural Communities
(from 16 December 1999)
Henry Palaszczuk, DipTeach, MP
Minister for Emergency Services (until 16 December 1999)
Minister for Tourism and Racing (from 16 December 1999)
Merri Rose, MP
Minister for Emergency ServicesStephen Robertson, BA(Hons), MP (from 16 December 1999)
Minister for Local Government and PlanningNita Cunningham, MP (from 30 November 2000)
Parliamentary SecretariesStephen Robertson (until 16 December 1999)
Gordon Nuttall
Mike Reynolds
Darryl Briskey
Dr Lesley Clark (from 16 December 1999)
Whips
Government WhipTerry Sullivan
Deputy Government WhipPat Purcell
Phil Reeves
(from 22 March 2000)

Notes:

On 1 August 1999, David Hamill was required to stand aside as Treasurer while investigations by the Auditor-General and the Criminal Justice Commission into the awarding of an Internet gaming licence was in process. Premier Peter Beattie served as Acting Treasurer and brought down a budget on 14 September. On 30 September, both inquiries cleared Hamill of any wrongdoing and he was reinstated.

On 14 December 1999, Bob Gibbs resigned from Parliament to accept a role as trade commissioner to Los Angeles. Terry Mackenroth assumed his Sport portfolio (losing Rural Communities to Henry Palaszczuk), with Tourism and Racing going to junior minister Merri Rose. Parliamentary secretary to the Deputy Premier, Stephen Robertson, was appointed as a minister and took on Rose's former role of Emergency Services.

On 22 November 1999, Deputy Premier Jim Elder, who was Acting Premier at the time due to the Premier being overseas, resigned following allegations that he was under suspicion for having illegally signed electoral forms for family members in his own seat. His portfolios were assumed for four days by Paul Braddy, then for another four by Premier Peter Beattie, before a minor reshuffle on 30 November 2000 which saw, among other things, Terry Mackenroth's promotion to Deputy Premier and Nita Cunningham's appointment to the Ministry.

Second Ministry

On 22 February 2001, following the 2001 election, a ministry of 19 cabinet ministers and 5 parliamentary secretaries was sworn in. It served until the reconstitution of the Ministry on 12 February 2004 following the 2004 election.

OfficeMinister
Premier
Minister for Trade
Peter Beattie, BA, LL.B., MA, MP
Deputy Premier
Treasurer
Minister for Sport
Terry Mackenroth, MP
Leader of the House
Minister for Education
Anna Bligh, BA, MP
Minister for Employment and Training
Minister for Youth
Minister for the Arts
Matt Foley, BA, BSW, LL.B.(Hons), MP
Minister for Health
Minister assisting the Premier on Women's Policy
Wendy Edmond, DipRadiog, DipNuclMed, MP
Minister for State DevelopmentTom Barton, MP
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
Minister assisting the Premier on the Carpentaria
Tony McGrady, MP
Minister for Transport
Minister for Main Roads
Steve Bredhauer, DipTeach, MP
Attorney-General
Minister for Justice
Rod Welford, BA(Hons), LL.B., GradDipLegPrac,
   MSc(Env), MP
Minister for EnvironmentDean Wells, BA(Hons), MA, LL.B., MP
Minister for Public Works
Minister for Housing
Robert Schwarten, BEd, DipTeach, MP
Minister for Families
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy
Minister for Disability Services
Minister for Seniors
(from 20 June 2002)
Judy Spence, BA, DipTeach, MP
Minister for Primary Industries
Minister for Rural Communities
Henry Palaszczuk, DipTeach, MP
Minister for Tourism and Racing
Minister for Fair Trading
Merri Rose, MP
(until 15 January 2004)
Minister for Natural Resources
Minister for Mines
Stephen Robertson, BA(Hons), MP
Minister for Local Government and Planning
Nita Cunningham, MP
Minister for Emergency Services
Minister assisting the Premier in North Queensland
Mike Reynolds, AM, BSW, MA, MP
Minister for Industrial Relations
Gordon Nuttall, MP
Minister for Innovation and Information Economy
Minister for Energy (from 20 December 2002)
Paul Lucas, BEcon, LL.B., MBA, MP
Parliamentary SecretariesDarryl Briskey
Dr Lesley Clark
Neil Roberts
Jo-Ann Miller
Lindy Nelson-Carr
Whips
Government WhipTerry Sullivan
Deputy Government WhipPat Purcell
Phil Reeves

Third Ministry

On 12 February 2004, following the 2004 election, a ministry of 19 cabinet ministers and 6 parliamentary secretaries was sworn in. It served until the reconstitution of the Ministry on 28 July 2005 following the resignation of Deputy Premier Terry Mackenroth.

On 3 March 2005, Liddy Clark resigned after an investigation to the Crime and Misconduct Commission into airfares given to Aboriginal activists to Palm Island following a riot there. Her position in the ministry was not filled, with her portfolio going to John Mickel.

OfficeMinister
Premier
Minister for Trade
Peter Beattie, BA, LL.B., MA, MP
Deputy Premier
Treasurer
Minister for Sport
Terry Mackenroth, MP
(until 25 July 2005)
Leader of the House
Minister for Education
Minister for the Arts
Anna Bligh, BA, MP
Minister for Employment and Training
Minister for Industrial Relations
Tom Barton, MP
Minister for State Development and Innovation
Tony McGrady, MP
Minister for Health
Gordon Nuttall, MP
Minister for Public Works
Minister for Housing
Minister for Racing
Robert Schwarten, BEd, DipTeach, MP
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
Judy Spence, BA, DipTeach, MP
Attorney-General
Minister for Justice
Rod Welford, BA(Hons), LL.B., GradDipLegPrac,
   MSc(Env), MP
Minister for Transport
Minister for Main Roads
Paul Lucas, BEcon, LL.B., MBA, MP
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
Henry Palaszczuk, DipTeach, MP
Minister for Natural Resources
Minister for Mines and Energy (until 25 August 2004)
Minister for Mines (from 25 August 2004)
Stephen Robertson, BA(Hons), MP
Minister for Child Safety
Mike Reynolds, AM, BSW, MA, MP
Minister for Communities
Minister for Disability Services
Minister for Seniors (from 22 April 2004)
Warren Pitt, BEdSt, BA, DipTeach, MP
Minister for Tourism
Minister for Fair Trading
Minister for Wine Industry Development
Margaret Keech, B.Econ, GradDipAppLing, MA, MP
Minister for Environment (until 25 August 2004)
Minister for Energy (from 25 August 2004)
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy
   (from 3 March 2005)
John Mickel, MLitSt, BA, BEdSt, DipTeach, MP
Minister for Local Government and Planning
Minister for Women (from 11 March 2004)
Minister for Environment (from 25 August 2004)
Desley Boyle, BSc(Hons), MPsych, MBA, MP
Minister for Emergency Services
Chris Cummins, MP
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy
Liddy Clark, MP
(until 3 March 2005)
Parliamentary SecretariesKaren Struthers
Neil Roberts
Jo-Ann Miller
Pat Purcell
Lindy Nelson-Carr
Linda Lavarch
Whips
Government WhipTerry Sullivan
Deputy Government WhipPhil Reeves
Rachel Nolan

Fourth Ministry

On 28 July 2005, following the resignation of Deputy Premier Terry Mackenroth from the ministry and from Parliament, a ministry of 19 cabinet ministers and 6 parliamentary secretaries was sworn in. It served until the reconstitution of the Ministry on 23 September 2006 following the 2006 election.

Following a Crime and Misconduct Commission report on 7 December 2005, Gordon Nuttall resigned as a minister. Tim Mulherin was appointed in his place on 12 December.

OfficeMinister
Premier
Treasurer (until 2 February 2006)
Peter Beattie, BA, LL.B., MA, MP
Deputy Premier
Treasurer (from 2 February 2006)
Minister for State Development, Trade and Innovation
Anna Bligh, BA, MP
Minister for Transport
Minister for Main Roads
Paul Lucas, BEcon, LL.B., MBA, MP
Minister for Employment and Training
Minister for Industrial Relations
Minister for Sport
Tom Barton, MP
Leader of the House
Minister for Public Works and Housing
Minister for Racing
Robert Schwarten, BEd, DipTeach, MP
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
Gordon Nuttall, MP
(until 7 December 2005)
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
Judy Spence, BA, DipTeach, MP
Minister for Education
Minister for the Arts
Rod Welford, BA(Hons), LL.B., GradDipLegPrac,
   MSc(Env), MP
Minister for Health
Stephen Robertson, BA(Hons), MP
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines
Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Water (2 February-7 August 2006)
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines,
and Minister Assisting the Premier on Water (from 7 August 2006)
Henry Palaszczuk, DipTeach, MP
Minister for Child Safety
Mike Reynolds, AM, BSW, MA, MP
Minister for Communities
Minister for Disability Services
Minister for Seniors
Warren Pitt, BEdSt, BA, DipTeach, MP
Minister for Tourism
Minister for Fair Trading
Minister for Wine Industry Development
Margaret Keech, B.Econ, GradDipAppLing, MA, MP
Minister for Energy
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy
John Mickel, MLitSt, BA, BEdSt, DipTeach, MP
Minister for Environment
Minister for Local Government and Planning
Minister for Women
Desley Boyle, BSc(Hons), MPsych, MBA, MP
Minister for Small Business
Minister for Information Technology Policy
Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Chris Cummins, MP
Attorney-General
Minister for Justice
Linda Lavarch, LL.B., GradDipLegPrac, MP
Minister for Emergency Services
Pat Purcell, MP
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
Tim Mulherin, MP
(from 12 December 2005)
Parliamentary SecretariesKaren Struthers
Neil Roberts
Jo-Ann Miller
Lindy Nelson-Carr
Kerry Shine
Andrew Fraser
Whips
Government WhipTerry Sullivan
Deputy Government WhipPhil Reeves
Rachel Nolan

Fifth Ministry

On 13 September 2006, following the 2006 election, a ministry of 19 cabinet ministers and 11 parliamentary secretaries was sworn in. It served until the end of the Ministry on 13 September 2007 following Anna Bligh's ascension to the post of Premier, and was followed by the Bligh Ministry.

Linda Lavarch, the Attorney-General, resigned from the Ministry on 18 October 2006 citing depression. Kerry Shine and Margaret Keech assumed her portfolios on 1 November 2006. Craig Wallace was appointed to the available place within the Ministry.

OfficeMinister
Premier
Minister for Trade
Peter Beattie, BA, LL.B., MA, MP
Deputy Premier
Treasurer
Minister for Infrastructure
Anna Bligh, BA, MP
Minister for Transport
Minister for Main Roads
Paul Lucas, BEcon, LL.B., MBA, MP
Leader of the House
Minister for Public Works and Housing
Minister for Information and Communication Technology
   from 12 October 2006)
Robert Schwarten, BEd, DipTeach, MP
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
Judy Spence, BA, DipTeach, MP
Minister for Education and Training
Minister for the Arts
Rod Welford, BA(Hons), LL.B., GradDipLegPrac,
   MSc(Env), MP
Minister for Health
Stephen Robertson, BA(Hons), MP
Minister for State Development
Minister for Employment
Minister for Industrial Relations
John Mickel, MLitSt, BA, BEdSt, DipTeach, MP
Minister for Communities
Minister for Disability Services
Minister for Seniors
Minister for Youth
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
  (from 30 January 2007)
Warren Pitt, BEdSt, BA, DipTeach, MP
Minister for Child Safety
Desley Boyle, BSc(Hons), MPsych, MBA, MP
Attorney-General
Minister for Justice
Minister for Women
Linda Lavarch, LL.B., GradDipLegPrac, MP
(until 18 October 2006)
Minister for Tourism
Minister for Fair Trading
Minister for Wine Industry Development
Minister for Women (from 1 November 2006)
Margaret Keech, B.Econ, GradDipAppLing, MA, MP
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
Tim Mulherin, MP
Minister for Emergency Services
Pat Purcell, MP
Minister for Local Government and Planning
Minister for Sport
Andrew Fraser, LL.B., BComm, MP
Minister for Mines and Energy
Geoff Wilson, BA(Hons), LL.B., MP
(until 1 November 2006:)

Minister for Natural Resources

Minister for Water

(from 1 November 2006:)

Attorney-General

Minister for Justice

Minister assisting the Premier in Western Queensland

Kerry Shine, LL.B., MP
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
Lindy Nelson-Carr, DipTeach, BEd, MEd, MP
Minister for Natural Resources and Water
Minister assisting the Premier in North Queensland
Craig Wallace, BA, MP
(from 1 November 2006)
Parliamentary SecretariesKaren Struthers
Neil Roberts
Craig Wallace (until 1 November 2006)
Phil Reeves
Andrew McNamara
Gary Fenlon
Julie Attwood
Ronan Lee
Bonny Barry
Jan Jarratt
Michael Choi
Stirling Hinchliffe (from 1 November 2006)
Chris Bombolas (from 10 July 2007)
Whips
Government WhipCarolyn Male
Deputy Government WhipRachel Nolan
Simon Finn

References