To the beat of a Chinese drum, the baton was passed from education to Treasury.
Treasurer Tim Nicholls joined Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek at an “electorate event” at Kedron State High School for the opening of its ‘Confucius Classroom’, a new Chinese language centre.
But with Treasury shaping up as the next portfolio of choice in the government’s ongoing strategy to focus attention away from “politics and personality” and on to policy, it was also the perfect chance for Mr Langbroek to pass the announcement-a-day campaign to Mr Nicholls.
And at least the government can admit it.
“You’ll have to wait and see what Treasury week brings you,” Mr Nicholls said.
“But I can tell you what we will be doing is making sure that we are working hard to ensure that the economy is getting back on track, that we have a strong plan for the state’s finances and that also we are working hard to create jobs for Queenslanders.
“So not only is education important, but that education leads to a job and a strong economy means there are jobs for Queensland kids when they finish school, when they finish their further studies, and that is what we will be focusing on.”
Mr Langbroek, like Health Minister Lawrence Springborg, who kicked off the government’s ‘keep it quiet, keep it beige, keep it on message’ strategy earlier this month, is considered one of the government’s 'softer' ministers. As is Mr Nicholls, who, other than his 'champagne sippers and latte set' comments on solar power users, has rarely slipped off message.
Mr Nicholls said the government had had “a great week” and he looked forward to continue selling the ‘good news story’ of the government’s successes.
“It is about getting on and doing the job,” he said.
“We have been can-do and we will continue to be can-do and that means working for Queenslanders.”
Law and order week, which is expected to feature both Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie and Police Minister Jack Dempsey is scheduled to follow Treasury.
