Kate Jones has been appointed Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and Minister for Cross River Rail.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Cross River Rail was Queensland’s biggest infrastructure project.
“We’re investing $5.4 billion in the Cross River Rail project,” the Premier said.
“It’s a massive project that will create thousands of jobs, result in more train services and less congestion.
“It will mean 24 trains running in both directions each hour when it’s complete and take up to 18,500 car trips off south-east Queensland roads each day.
“Kate Jones helped oversee the delivery of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games which were labelled the best-ever.
“Like the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games delivered benefits that will last for decades, Cross River Rail will deliver benefits well into the future.”
Minister Jones said the project would transform the entire south-east Queensland rail network.
“I’m pleased to be taking Cross River Rail on as an area of responsibility,” the Minister said.
“It will mean more trains and more train stations for south-east Queensland.
“Queensland is a growing state and we need to ensure we plan and prepare for the future.
“Part of that is building the public transport we need.
“That’s why we’re investing $5.4 billion to deliver Cross River Rail.”
The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games have been delivered and have been removed from the Minister’s title.
The 2019–20 Budget includes a $12.941 billion capital works program which will directly support 40,500 jobs across Queensland, with 25,500 of these jobs in regions outside Greater Brisbane.
