Government Champions

The Queensland Government is committed to increasing the capability of government to deliver innovative, efficient, effective and integrated services for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people across Queensland, particularly to those who live in remote and discrete Indigenous communities. The champions program brings together CEOs of departments and government ministers to partner with individual communities.

The Government Champion program provides an opportunity for Chief Executives of Queensland Government agencies to work together with identified communities towards improving life outcomes for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people, in a collaborative partnership.

In a complementary program, Queensland Ministers will act as individual champions for discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Under the Ministerial Government Champion’s program, ministers work closely with mayors and community leaders from their partner community to engage more effectively with Cabinet on the opportunities and challenges facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Ministerial and Government Champions 2023

CommunityGovernment ChampionMinisterial Champion
All communities

Katarina Carroll
Commissioner, Queensland Police Service

Paul Stewart
Commissioner, Queensland Corrective Services

Clare O’Connor
Director-General, Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts

Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP
Premier of Queensland and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games

Honourable Leeanne Enoch MP
Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Communities and Minister for the Arts
Aurukun

Rachel Hunter
Director-General, Department of Premier and Cabinet

Assisted by Peter McKay
Deputy Director-General, Office of Industrial Relations

Honourable Di Farmer MP
Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development and Minister for Youth Justice

Assisted by Bart Mellish MP
Assistant Minister to the Premier for Veterans' Affairs, Trade and the Public Sector
Cherbourg

Clare O’Connor
Director-General, Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts

Assisted by Jasmina Joldic PSM
Acting Director-General, Department of Justice and Attorney-General

Honourable Leanne Linard MP
Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Minister for Multicultural Affairs

Assisted by Julieanne Gilbert MP
Assistant Minister for Education
Coen

Stephen Smith
Acting Commissioner, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services

Honourable Cameron Dick MP
Treasurer and Minister for Investment

Assisted by Michael Healy MP
Assistant Minister for Tourism Industry Development
Doomadgee

Bob Gee APM
Director-General, Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training

 Honourable Craig Crawford MP
Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Seniors and Disability Services

Hope Vale

Mike Kaiser
Director-General, Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning

Honourable Mick de Brenni MP
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement

Kowanyama

Mark Cridland
Director-General, Department of Housing

Honourable Mark Ryan MP
Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services

Lockhart River

Warwick Agnew
Director-General, Department of Resources

Honourable Mark Bailey MP
Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Digital Services

Mapoon

Paul Martyn
Director-General, Department of Energy and Public Works

Honourable Mark Furner MP
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities

Mornington Island

Michael Walsh
Acting Director-General, Queensland Health

Honourable Meaghan Scanlon MP
Minister for Housing

Assisted by Lance McCallum MP
Assistant Minister for Energy

Mossman Gorge

David Mackie
CEO, Public Service Commission

Honourable Yvette D'Ath MP
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence

Napranum

Sally Stannard
Acting Director-General, Department of Transport and Main Roads

Honourable Grace Grace MP
Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing

Assisted by Nikki Boyd MP
Assistant Minister for Local Government

Northern Peninsula Area

Graham Fraine
CEO, Brisbane 2032 Coordination Office

Assisted by Linda Dobe
Acting Director-General, Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water

Honourable Glenn Butcher MP
Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water

Palm Island

Andrew Hopper
Director-General, Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport

Assisted by Paul Stewart APM
Commissioner, Queensland Corrective Services

Honourable Scott Stewart MP
Minister for Resources

Assisted by Charis Mullen MP
Assistant Minister for Treasury

 

Pormpuraaw

Michael Carey
Under Treasurer, Queensland Treasury

Honourable Dr Steven Miles MP
Deputy Premier
Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure

Assisted by Bruce Saunders MP
Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing and Regional Roads

Torres Strait

Deidre Mulkerin
Director-General, Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services

Honourable Shannon Fentiman MP
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women

Woorabinda

Dr Chris Sarra
Director-General, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Brittany Lauga MP
Assistant Minister for Health and Regional Health Infrastructure

Assisted by the Honourable Leeanne Enoch MP
Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Communities and Minister for the Arts

Wujal Wujal

Jamie Merrick
Director-General, Department of Environment and Science

Honourable Leeanne Enoch MP
Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Communities and Minister for the Arts

Yarrabah

Michael De'Ath
Director-General, Department of Education

Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe MP
Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement