Queensland

Queensland government: New ministers sworn in at Government House

Queensland's newest member of cabinet has pledged to get straight to work, organising briefings for Friday afternoon.

Member for Ferny Grove Mark Furner will not have long to get used to his new role as Local Government Minister and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister, with Parliament due to resume in four days' time.

"I think the weekend's shot but that's why I'm meeting with the [director-generals] this afternoon," Mr Furner said.

"No doubt I'll be doing some reading over the weekend so I'm prepared."

Mr Furner plans to meet with the director-general of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and an executive from the Local Government Association of Queensland on Friday afternoon.

Mr Furner scored the job in Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's cabinet following former transport minister Stirling Hinchliffe's resignation after months of strife dealing with a train driver shortage at Queensland Rail.

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Mr Furner was sworn in at Government House on Friday afternoon, with only a minor hiccup as he signed his name in Governor Paul de Jersey's spot instead, which the Governor said had happened before.

He said it was "such a privilege" to become a minister, smiling as he stood beside Ms Palaszczuk on a hot, sunny summer afternoon on the lush grass at Government House.

Mr Furner said he had spent Boxing Day in the small Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal while on holidays over the Christmas break, meeting the mayor.

"I'm keen to get involved in getting around some of the other locations in this wonderful state of Queensland," he said.

Ms Palaszczuk said Mr Furner brought experience to the cabinet, having served as a senator for Queensland.

Questioned over whether it was appropriate for factions to choose the next minister, Ms Palaszczuk said if she was not happy with the person, she would not endorse them.

"Mark and I had a conversation that morning. I was very happy to endorse Mark Furner and he will be a great contributor to the team and I know that he wants to get across his brief as quickly as possible," she said.

The last time Ms Palaszczuk and Governor de Jersey met like this at Government House, it was for member for Morayfield Mark Ryan's elevation to the front bench in November, becoming the Police Minister.

Kate Jones, adding Commonwealth Games to her responsibilities, elicited a laugh as she quickly added "so help me God" after it seemed she was finished reciting her oath.

Mick de Brenni, Jackie Trad and Curtis Pitt were also sworn into their new portfolios on Friday.

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