Conservative backbencher sworn in as new child safety minister

Conservative backbencher Amanda Stoker has arrived at Government House and will be sworn in as the Crisafulli government’s new child safety minister following the resignation of Amanda Camm on Friday.

Camm, whose portfolio included child safety, domestic and family violence prevention and disability services, announced she was quitting the frontbench due to ongoing health concerns and safety fears in the wake of the attack on federal MP Helen Haines.

She denied the decision was influenced by widespread criticism of her handling of the portfolio and personal matters, including reports of children in residential care sleeping on the floor of government offices, cuts to DFV services budget and a bungled IT system roll-out compromising responses to child safety matters.

Stoker – a former senator and first-term state MP who held a number of senior federal assistant minister roles under prime minister Scott Morrison – was the name most widely discussed in party circles on Friday to replace Camm.

She arrived at Government House with her husband, lawyer Adam Stoker, and children ahead of the swearing-in ceremony at midday.

Stoker responded with thanks when congratulated on her new ministerial role.

Premier David Crisafulli and Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie will hold a press conference after the ceremony.

Also on Saturday, Thuringowa MP Natalie Marr was sworn in as new Finance Minister.

Stoker is a former barrister and has been an active member of the Liberal Party since the age of 19. She was chosen to replace the retiring George Brandis in the Australian Senate in 2018, and began working as the assistant minister to the attorney-general two years later.

After her time in the senate, she hosted a program on Sky News host and in 2023 was selected as the candidate for Oodgeroo, an electorate that includes the Redlands districts of Cleveland and Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).

She was elected to Queensland Parliament the following year, and has worked as the assistant minister for finance, trade, employment and training under Ros Bates since.

Stoker is aligned with the LNP’s factional right and is an outspoken opponent of abortion, with ties to several Christian groups including Cherish Life and the Australian Christian Lobby.

Earlier this year, she deflected aggressive efforts from the Christian lobby demanding she act on abortion laws, a stance that was expected to be rewarded with a cabinet elevation, after Crisafulli banned any bills or debate on abortion laws when he took government.

More to come.