The premiership of David Crisafulli began on 28 October 2024 when he was sworn-in as Premier of Queensland following his Liberal National party winning the 2024 Queensland state election.[1] Like in the Northern Territory just weeks prior, the Coalition affiliate in the state of Queensland — the LNP, won a reasonably large majority in parliament. The premiership of David Crisafulli is but one of three Liberal-National coalition-run governments in Australia, up from just Tasmania before August 2024. The election of Crisafulli's government was the first time the LNP had one government in Queensland since the extensive landslide in the 2012 Queensland state election.
 David Crisafulli in 2022. | |
| Premiership of David Crisafulli 28 October 2024 – present (24 days) | |
| Cabinet | Crisafulli I Crisafulli II |
|---|---|
| Party | Liberal National |
| Election | 2024 |
| Appointed by | Governor Jeannette Young |
| Seat | Tower of Power, Brisbane |
| Official website | |
During Crisafulli's election campaign, he prioritised four main issues — namely crime, health, cost of living and housing. Early in his premiership, he took executive action to permanently cancel the Pioneer Burdekin hydro plant development, with an aim to reduce the government expenditure, as well as find alternative clean-energy solutions. Crisafulli has opted to halt development of new stadia for the 2032 Brisbane Summer Olympics, in favour of upgrading other stadiums at a cheaper cost. In the role of premier, Crisafulli has reappointed various government department directors-general and commissioners, including former Labor politician and director-general for Premier and Cabinet, Mike Kaiser. In other appointments during his current term, Crisafulli will likely appoint at least 4 new justices of the Queensland Supreme Court, due to a number reaching the mandatory retirement age. Crisafulli will also nominate a successor of the current Governor of Queensland to the King of Australia for consideration later in his term due to the current governor's term ending by convention in 2026. Crisafulli's legislative agenda has so far been crime-based, with him announcing early in his term that the LNP's controversial Making Queensland Safer Laws will pass the parliament by Christmas 2024. The aforementioned proposed laws have been criticised by numerous organisations, including Amnesty International, due to an alleged violation of humanitarianism. In the legislative realm, Crisafulli has also taken executive action to halt the parliamentary and independent inquiries into truth-telling and treaty following the results of the 2023 Indigenous Voice Referendum, as well as the inquiry into youth crime. Crisafulli has described himself as a centrist, and aligns with the moderate-left faction of the Liberal-National Party of Queensland.[2]
Electoral history
edit2024 Queensland state election
editThe 2024 Queensland state election was held on 26 October 2024.[3] Polls prior to the election held that the chance of a Liberal-National party landslide was a probability.[4] It is widely believed that Crisafulli's ambiguity on the issue of abortion caused polls to narrow before the election.[5] Regardless of the poll narrowing, Crisafulli led the LNP to victory in the election, securing 52 of the 93 seats in the unicameral Parliament of Queensland.[6] The Liberal-National party's win in the 2024 election secured the first LNP government since Campbell Newman won in an greatly-extensive landslide after the 2012 Queensland state election.[7]
In Australia's eight self-governing states and territories, all but 3 are currently under the control of a Liberal-National coalition affiliate government.[8][9][10] Between the 2023 New South Wales state election and the electoral landslide victory[11] of Coalition affiliate the Country Liberal Party in the Northern Territory in August 2024, Tasmania was the country's only Coalition government — albeit in a fracturing minority supported by independents.[12]
Campaign
editPrior to the 2024 election, the LNP ran a 4-pronged campaign which was styled as the "Right Plan for Queensland".[13]
Crisafulli campaigned on youth crime as a major part of his election bid. He pledged $40 million towards 4 'early intervention schools' to target youth at risk of committing crime. [14] He also committed $50 million towards the opening of 'reset camps' for young people likely to commit crime, which was criticised by his Labor colleagues as 'power overreach' and 'abusive'.[15]
The Crisafulli led LNP pledged $590 million towards an Easier Access to Health Services Plan which was highlighted by the following promises:[16]
- Provide publicly available real-time hospital data, aimed at easing pressure on staff at over-triaged times, within first 100 days;
- Reduce ambulance ramping by 30% in the first 4 years;
- Hire 34,200 extra healthcare workers by 2032; and
- Aim to fast track elective surgical operations.
The LNP unveiled their Saving you Paying Plan during the election, which was alleged would ease cost of living pressures. This plan included building more regional roads, increasing housing supply, and providing 'water security' to food producers.[17] The LNP also vowed to stop the Pioneer Burdekin pumped-hydro plant which is said to cost around $24 billion AUD.[18] Crisafulli alleges that this plant would increase electricity cost throughout Queensland, and instead aims to build smaller hydro and renewable energy projects at a lower cost.[18]
The LNP announced their Securing our Housing Foundations Plan during the election campaign. Crisafulli and his LNP pledged to:[19]
- Begin new housing developments by creating a $2 billion dollar Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund;
- Work on a lower level with local councils to ensure sewer and water connections to new developments;
- Collaborate with local councils to streamline housing development approvals;
- Remove stamp duty on new houses; and
- Enact a shared-equity purchasing scheme for housing.
Swearing-in
editDavid Crisafulli was on 28 October 2024 sworn in as the 41st Premier of Queensland.[20] His deputy, Jarrod Bleijie, was also sworn in, with the both of them sharing a lengthy interim ministerial portfolio.[21]
On 1 November 2024, the totality of Crisafulli's 20-minister cabinet was sworn in by Governor Young of Queensland.[22]
State and domestic affairs
editEconomy
editMining
editIn November 2024, it was revealed that Crisafulli has been in consultations with people interested in buying natural-resource mines in Mount Isa. Crisafulli criticised Glencore, the current owners intending on closing the mines, for not mining at the locations and therefore placing the employee's futures in jeopardy as well as the mining town itself.[23] Later in November, Crisafulli confirmed that Queensland's mining tax will continue, but promises that the system will be "fairer".[24]
Housing
editWithin Crisafulli's first week in the premiership, he instructed the Department of the Treasury to abolish stamp duty on new builds for first home buyers.[25]
Healthcare
editOn 6 November 2024, Crisafulli committed to upgrading the Rockhampton Hospital's outdated emergency department to prevent it "bursting at the seams".[26]
Adolescent social media ban
editCrisafulli announced in November 2024 that he would support Federal Labor's ban on under-16s using social media platforms.[27]
Brisbane 2032
edit
It was confirmed on 21 July 2021 that Brisbane was to be the host of the 2032 Summer Olympics.[28] Since this announcement, there has been considerable arguments over monetary allocations and stadium locations from both sides of politics.[29] Crisafulli's predecessor, Miles, vaguely accepted International Olympic Committee recommendations in 2024 to scrap plans to upgrade a stadium in The Gabba in favour of building a new $3.4b stadium in Victoria Park, Brisbane.[29] Crisafulli has slammed both plans and intends to consult with federal sports minister Anika Wells to work on an outcome, although Crisafulli has vowed to not construct a new stadium.[30]
Appointments
editCabinet
editOn 1 November 2024, the full ministry was formally sworn in, as follows:[31]
| Portrait | Minister | Portfolio | Took office | Left office | Duration of tenure | Party | Electorate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet Ministers | ||||||||
| David Crisafulli |
|
28 October 2024 | Incumbent | 24 days | Liberal National | Broadwater | ||
|
Jarrod Bleijie |
|
28 October 2024 | Incumbent | 24 days | Kawana | ||
| David Janetzki |
|
1 November 2024 | Incumbent | 20 days | Toowoomba South | |||
|
Ros Bates |
|
1 November 2024 | Incumbent | 20 days | Mudgeeraba | ||
|
Tim Nicholls | 1 November 2024 | Incumbent | 20 days | Clayfield | |||
|
Deb Frecklington |
|
1 November 2024 | Incumbent | 20 days | Nanango | ||
| Dale Last |
|
1 November 2024 | Incumbent | 20 days | Burdekin | |||
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|
John-Paul Langbroek |
|
1 November 2024 | Incumbent | 20 days | Surfers Paradise | ||
| Dan Purdie |
|
1 November 2024 | Incumbent | 20 days | Ninderry | |||
| Laura Gerber |
|
1 November 2024 | Incumbent | 20 days | Currumbin | |||
|
Brent Mickelberg | 1 November 2024 | Incumbent | 20 days | Buderim | |||
| Ann Leahy |
|
1 November 2024 | Incumbent | 20 days | Warrego | |||
| Sam O'Connor |
|
1 November 2024 | Incumbent | 20 days | Bonney | |||
| Tony Perrett | 1 November 2024 | Incumbent | 20 days | Gympie | ||||
| Fiona Simpson |
|
1 November 2024 | Incumbent | 20 days | Maroochydore | |||
| Andrew Powell |
|
1 November 2024 | Incumbent | 20 days | Glass House | |||
| Amanda Camm |
|
1 November 2024 | Incumbent | 20 days | Whitsunday | |||
| Tim Mander |
|
1 November 2024 | Incumbent | 20 days | Everton | |||
|
Steve Minnikin |
|
1 November 2024 | Incumbent | 20 days | Chatsworth | ||
|
Christian Rowan | 1 November 2024 | Incumbent | 20 days | Moggill | |||
Gubernatorial and Supreme Court Justices
editAs incumbent Governor Jeannette Young's term ends by convention in 2026, Crisafulli will choose the next Governor of Queensland.[32] Within his first four-year term, more than 4 current Justice's of the Supreme Court of Queensland will reach the mandatory retirement age of 70, therefore Crisafulli will nominate new justices to be approved and appointed by the governor.[33][34]
Although the premier technically has the power the choose Magistrates Court of Queensland judges, this is usually delegated solely to the attorney-general whilst the AG and premier confer for the appointment of supreme court justices.[35]
Public service
editAs Premier of Queensland, Crisafulli has the authority to appoint senior figures in the public service, including departmental heads.
Shortly after his appointment to the Premiership, Crisafulli fired 10 directors-general of several government agencies.[36]
Immediately following Crisafulli's election win, he contacted Director-General of Queensland's Department of Premier and Cabinet Mike Kaiser to terminate his position as director-general.[37] This was anticipated by Kaiser, who left his position peacefully, congratulating the premier for his election.[38] Kaiser subsequently showed his support for the convention of a premier having the ability to hire and fire departmental staff.[38] Following this, Crisafulli named public servant David Mackie as Kaiser's successor.[39]
Shortly after Crisafulli's appointment, he relieved long-serving Queensland Health director-general Mike Walsh of his duties, in favour of the department's previous chief operating officer, David Rosengren.[40] In the same round of re-appointments, Crisafulli named Rob Seiler as director-general of the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety, as well as appointing various other directors-general in an acting capacity.[40]
| Director-General or Commissioner | Department/Agency | Appointing government | Acting or full-capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Sosso | Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning | Crisafulli/LNP | Full-capacity |
| David Rosengren | Queensland Health | Crisafulli/LNP | Full-capacity |
| Trish O’Callaghan | Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation | Crisafulli/LNP | Full-capacity |
| David Mackie | Department of the Premier and Cabinet | Crisafulli/LNP | Acting |
| Rachel Crossland | Queensland Treasury | Crisafulli/LNP | Acting |
| Brigita Cunnington | Department of Justice | Crisafulli/LNP | Acting |
| Sharon Schimming | Department of Education | Crisafulli/LNP | Acting |
| Kathy Parton | Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multiculturalism | Crisafulli/LNP | Acting |
| Rob Seiler | Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety | Crisafulli/LNP | Acting |
| Steven Koch | Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business | Crisafulli/LNP | Acting |
| Peter McKay | Department of Finance, Trade, Employment and Training | Labor | Full-capacity |
| Graham Fraine | Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development | Labor | Full-capacity |
| Stephan Gollschewski | Queensland Police Service | Labor | Full-capacity |
| Paul Stewart | Queensland Corrective Services | Labor | Full-capacity |
| Bob Gee | Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support | Labor | Full-capacity |
| Sally Stannard | Department of Transport and Main Roads | Labor | Full-capacity |
| Linda Dobe | Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers | Labor | Full-capacity |
| Steve Smith | Queensland Fire Department | Labor | Full-capacity |
| Mark Cridland | Department of Housing and Public Works | Labor | Full-capacity |
| Graeme Bolton | Department of Primary Industries | Labor | Full-capacity |
| Andrew Hopper | Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games | Labor | Full-capacity |
Legislative agenda
editCrime
editAs a part of Crisafulli's campaign on crime, he announced on 29 October 2024 that his 'Making Queensland Safer Laws' would pass the Parliament before Christmas.[41] These prospective laws have been met with criticism by organisations such as Amnesty International,[42] particularly on the basis of 'adult crime, adult time' which would give equivalence of criminal sentencing between adult and youth convicts.[43] The Crisafulli government later halted an inquiry into youth crime, in favour of passing these laws before the inquiry could report its findings.[44]
Truth-telling and treaty
editJust after a week into his premiership, Crisafulli announced that due to the results of the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum, he would repeal the Path to Treaty Act 2023 and suspend the Truth-Telling and Hearing Inquiry, chaired by Aboriginal lawyer Joshua Creamer.[45] Labor governments in Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia took action to dissent from the public opinion revealed in the 2023 referendum and instead implement state-based recommendations of the Uluru Statement from the Heart including South Australia's implementation of an indigenous voice to Parliament.[46]
Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, criticised Crisafulli's haste with repealing the act and stopping the inquiry, telling him to "hold your [Crisafulli's] horses".[47]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "David Crisafulli sworn in as Queensland premier — as it happened". ABC News. 27 October 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ Crisafulli, David (31 May 2023). "Reshaping the Centre-Right in Queensland" (Interview). Interviewed by Kerry O'Brien. Home of the Arts, Gold Coast, Queensland: Griffith University.
I'm someone who grew up in regional Queensland who saw the value of hard work and agriculture and I grew up in a conservative household, but I probably drift a little further to becoming moderate as I get older, which is maybe in contrast to how others go. I'm a centrist, I'm a political centrist. I'm not driven by hard ideologies on either the left or the right. I'm driven by making sure that people who go to work can do so and build a business free from the regulation of government. I'm driven to make sure that people who are disadvantaged can be able to get access to a health system to be able to lift their lot in life. I do believe in government conducting themselves with integrity and decency. (34min 34sec)
- ^ Queensland, Electoral Commission of (28 October 2024). "2024 State General Election". www.ecq.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ Beaumont, Adrian (26 October 2024). "LNP wins Queensland election, likely with a clear majority". The Conversation. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "Abortion has been legal in Queensland since 2018. Why is it suddenly a subject for debate?". ABC News. 14 October 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "Queensland Election 2024 Results". abc.net.au. 31 October 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "LNP sweeps to power in landslide victory". ABC News. 24 March 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Gerritsen, Rolf (24 August 2024). "NT election: the Country Liberals claim a landslide victory in a contest decided in suburbia". The Conversation. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Press, Australian Associated (6 April 2024). "Make-up of Tasmanian parliament finally settled as 'anti-politician' independent takes last seat". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Queensland election: David Crisafulli claims victory for LNP, ending Labor's nine-year reign". SBS News. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Day, James. "Country Liberal Party elected in landslide win in the Northern Territory". PS News. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ https://tasmaniantimes.com/2024/09/jenner-bails-on-confidence-and-supply/
- ^ "LNP". website. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "LNP announces early intervention plan to stop at-risk young people becoming criminals". ABC News. 22 September 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ Smee, Ben; Messenger, Andrew (8 October 2024). "David Crisafulli announces 'reset camps' for youth 'at risk' of criminal behaviour". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ Newswire, N. C. A.; Schultz, Stefanie. "The LNP has won in Qld – here's what's been promised for health". Aged Care Insite. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "Cost of Living". website. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Deb Frecklington MP - Member for Nanango - Pioneer Burdekin pumped-hydro hoax will not proceed under the LNP". debfrecklington.com.au. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "Housing". website. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/politics/a-lot-of-work-to-do-david-crisafulli-officially-sworn-in-as-new-queensland-premier/news-story/c2114f30e638a3d46bd3186adc88df30
- ^ Messenger, Andrew (28 October 2024). "LNP has 'mandate' for youth crime reforms, Miles says, as Crisafulli sworn in as Queensland premier". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ Messenger, Andrew (1 November 2024). "David Crisafulli breaks election promise to elevate shadow team to Queensland government frontbench". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
- ^ "Crisafulli speaks to investors keen to buy Mount Isa Mines | North West Weekly | Local News covering Sport, Community & Business News for Boulia, Burketown, Camooweal, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, Hughenden, Julia Creek, Karumba, Mornington Island, Mount Isa, Normanton, North West Region, Richmond, Gregory in QLD Australia". www.northwestweekly.com.au. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/mining-tax-to-stay-but-crisafulli-promises-fairer-system/news-story/497921ceeddfc5c94327b757450982e0
- ^ https://x.com/DavidCrisafulli/status/1854737725913809176?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
- ^ https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/rockhampton/qld-premier-crisafulli-commits-to-rockhampton-hospital/news-story/c11225603ee69b7c5f9def2e827bb0ce
- ^ Davis, William (8 November 2024). "Premier says social media driving youth suicides as Qld backs ban". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ "Brisbane confirmed as 2032 Olympic Games host city". ABC News. 21 July 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ a b "The battle for the future of the Olympic Games is being played out in Brisbane and it's about more than stadiums". ABC News. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ https://www.news.com.au/sport/olympics/queensland-premierelect-david-crisafulli-flags-scrapping-qsac-for-olympics/news-story/31bd1b58362f46268798f253562a0fbb
- ^ "Premier David Crisafulli reveals new Queensland cabinet moments before swearing in ceremony begins". ABC News. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
- ^ https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/explore/education/factsheets/Factsheet_2.2_GovernorOfQueensland.pdf
- ^ Courts, c=AU; o=The State of Queensland; ou=Department of Justice and Attorney-General; ou=Queensland. "Judges of the Supreme Court". www.courts.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/pdf/1992-05-13/act-1957-038
- ^ https://law.uq.edu.au/files/1239/Judicial-Appointments-Law-and-Justice-Institute.pdf
- ^ Holmes, Dan (3 November 2024). "Key Queensland public service leaders turfed". The Mandarin. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
- ^ Atfield, Cameron (27 October 2024). "David Crisafulli sacks Mike Kaiser as Department of Premier and Cabinet director-general". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Mike Kaiser on LinkedIn: Congratulations to David Crisafulli on becoming Premier. As expected, he… | 220 comments". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ Holmes, Dan (28 October 2024). "David Mackie named interim Queensland public service leader". The Mandarin. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ a b c Holmes, Dan (3 November 2024). "Key Queensland public service leaders turfed". The Mandarin. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
- ^ https://twitter.com/DavidCrisafulli/status/1851807360068546720?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
- ^ International, Amnesty (28 October 2024). "'Adult crime adult time' policy flies in the face of all evidence". Amnesty International Australia. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "LNP's 'adult crime, adult time' youth crime plan compared to Newman government's bikie laws". ABC News. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/indigenous/david-crisafulli-cut-queenslands-truthtelling-inquiry-ahead-of-youth-crime-hearings/news-story/8b50808c559e39ce1ca8bec101efedcc
- ^ Cleal, Olivia (5 November 2024). "'A lost opportunity': Queensland Premier David Crisafulli scraps First Nations truth-telling inquiry". Women's Agenda. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ Kolovos, Benita; Rose, Tamsin; Shepherd, Tory; Messenger, Andrew (16 October 2023). "Australian states to push ahead with voice and treaty processes in absence of federal body". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Federal government tells Queensland's LNP to 'hold your horses' on truth-telling inquiry". ABC News. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.