Amanda Camm revealed on Friday she had relinquished her place on the frontbench, stating the decision was her own and that she was not pushed. She cited her health and a broader fear for her safety following the attack on federal MP Helen Haines, rather than recent mounting incidents in the child safety portfolio. Premier Crisafulli is eager to lock in a new minister before parliament resumes and has indicated a preference for a straight swap to avoid a messy broader reshuffle.
Multiple party and government figures, speaking anonymously to this masthead, say a female MP is the preference to maintain the gender ratio in cabinet while navigating the sensitive portfolio covering child safety, families, seniors, disability services and the prevention of domestic and family violence. Amanda Stoker, a first-term state MP who held assistant minister roles under former Prime Minister Scott Morrison and is a former Sky News host, is the name most widely discussed in party circles. Insiders say her political experience would be crucial for managing community stakeholders and deflecting Labor attacks in Question Time. Stoker was privately applauded internally for not agitating on politically damaging conservative matters, and her promotion could reinforce Crisafulli's plea for the caucus to 'be normal'.
Other names being speculated on include Townsville MP Janelle Poole, whose background with the Queensland Police Service is seen as beneficial but whose first-term status raises doubts about readiness among party figures. Redlands MP Rebecca Young and Cairns-based Bree James are also in discussions. If Crisafulli were to opt for a male candidate, Leader of the House Christian Rowan is viewed as a steady performer, while Finance Minister Ros Bates is being considered as a left-field alternative to act in the role until the new year. Rising star Sean Dillon is bound for cabinet but the portfolio is not thought suited for the fourth-generation cattle farmer.