Hinchinbrook MP, Andrew Cripps, has welcomed today’s announcement of a new LNP Shadow Cabinet by Opposition Leader, Tim Nicholls and Deputy Leader, Deb Frecklington, to get Queensland moving.

Mr Cripps said he was delighted to be asked by his new Leader and Deputy Leader to continue in his current role in the Shadow Cabinet, as Shadow Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Northern Development.

“I was very pleased to accept the offer from Tim and Deb to continue in my current role, while agreeing that the senior responsibility for State Development should go to the new Deputy Leader” said Mr Cripps.

“I will continue to strongly defend regional Queensland by taking the fight up to the Palaszczuk Government on land, water and vegetation management issues in the natural resources portfolio” he said.

Mr Cripps said he would seek to provide encouragement and support to the resources sector in through the Mines portfolio, an industry that has been abandoned by Labor due to its relationship with the Greens.

“Furthermore, the future of economic development opportunities in North Queensland will continue to be a particular focus for me, because the Palaszczuk Government has absolutely no plan for the north”.

“The new Shadow Cabinet is a very capable team and in particular, I welcome the appointment of fellow North Queenslander, Burdekin MP Dale Last, as the new Shadow Minister for Agriculture”.

Mr Cripps congratulated Tim Nicholls and Deb Frecklington on their election as Leader and Deputy Leader of the LNP and said he looked forward to working with both of them to hold the Palaszczuk Government to account.