LNP member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson has announced her resignation from shadow cabinet.
Ms Simpson said she had informed Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls on Thursday of her resignation, effective immediately, but she would continue in Parliament as the member for Maroochydoore.
"The decision to resign from the shadow cabinet has not been easy," she said.
"However I have made it so I can devote more time to caring for a seriously ill member of my family.
"As close friends and colleagues know, my dad Gordon is fighting cancer and I need to be closer to home rather than travelling through regional and remote parts of Queensland at this time."
Ms Simpson was serving as opposition spokeswoman on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multicultural Affairs.
Her father, Gordon Simpson, held the former seat of Cooroora for the National Party from 1974 to 1989.
Ms Simpson served as the Queensland Parliament's first female Speaker, and she was elected as the member for Maroochydore in 1992.
She said she intended to contest the next state election.
Due to Dad's illness I've resigned frm Shadow Cabinet 2 B closer 2 home but will still work hard as local MP. Thx all
— Fiona Simpson (@FionaSimpsonMP) February 9, 2017
Member for Chatsworth Steve Minnikin will be the new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multicultural Affairs spokesman for the LNP.
Member for Gympie Tony Perrett will replace Mr Minnikin as Deputy Opposition Whip.
Mr Nicholls said Ms Simpson had made an invaluable contribution to the LNP and would continue to do so.
"Of her many strengths, Fiona has long championed the importance of family and her unselfish decision today reflects that," Mr Nicholls said.
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