First-time minister Lance McCallum takes on Qld small business portfolio

Queensland has a new small business minister in Lance McCallum, who replaces Di Farmer in Premier Steven Miles’ new-look cabinet.

The state’s new ministry was sworn in on Monday after former Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk concluded her nearly nine-year-long tenure in the top job last week.

Five first-time ministers fill the ranks of the Miles ministry, including McCallum, who was elected for the first time in the 2020 state election.

The Member for Bundamba is a Gubbi Gubbi man, and one of three Indigenous MPs to hold a seat simultaneously in the previous government.

Before the 2020 election, McCallum was an official in the Electrical Trades Union and obtained a Master’s Degree in Climate Policy and Sustainability.

His proud heritage, history with the union movement, focus on ending insecure work, and commitment to sustainability were all on display during his first speech before Parliament in May 2020.

“I am here to ensure that we get the services and infrastructure that our growing community deserves, whilst preserving the beauty of our natural environment,” he said at the time.

“I am here to fight for a Bundamba where our community can access secure local jobs and the very best in services, like education, training, health care and public transport.

“The people of Bundamba have put their trust in me and I do not intend to let them down.”

In addition to the small business role, McCallum will serve as Minister for Training and Skills Development.

Until Monday, McCallum had served as Assistant Minister for Energy.

McCallum’s addition to Cabinet will see Di Farmer, who served as Minister for Small Business since the 2020 state election, take on new portfolios.

She will add the education portfolio to her existing commitments to youth justice.

Farmer served as small business minister through much of the COVID-19 crisis, putting her on the frontlines of the state’s financial support to hard-hit enterprises.

More recently, she voiced the state government’s commitment to boosting procurement from small businesses and a new funding boost for mental health services tailored to small business operators.

In October this year, Farmer stood alongside her federal counterpart, Minister for Small Business Julie Collins, after small business ministers nationwide committed to delivering practical support measures to SMEs struggling in a tough economic environment.