Former Morrison government assistant minister Amanda Stoker is widely tipped to be elevated into the Crisafulli cabinet position left vacant by Amanda Camm, according to a number of party sources.
Premier David Crisafulli is eager to lock-in a new child safety minister before parliament resumes next week, with the expected preference a seasoned campaigner able to withstand a barrage of Labor attacks in the notorious portfolio.
Camm revealed on Friday morning she had relinquished her seat on the frontbench, saying the decision was spurred by her health and a broader fear for her safety following the attack on federal MP Helen Haines, rather than the mounting incidents involving children in care plaguing her legacy.
Crisafulli told media on Friday he was eager for a straight swap for the role to avoid a messy broader cabinet reshuffle and the ensuing complex party machinations and negotiations.
Multiple party and government figures, speaking to this masthead anonymously to share internal matters, say a female MP is the preference to not weaken the gender ratio in cabinet while also navigating the sensitive subject of the broad portfolio encompassing families, seniors and disability services as well as child safety and the prevention of domestic and family violence.
Stoker is a first-term state MP but held a number of senior assistant minister roles under prime minister Scott Morrison, and was the name most widely discussed in party circles on Friday.
Her political experience would be crucial to managing a wide range of community and peak body stakeholders while capable of deflecting Labor attacks in Question Time, the insiders say.
As reported previously by this masthead, the former Sky News host was privately applauded internally for not agitating on politically damaging conservative matters.
Earlier this year, Stoker deflected aggressive efforts from the Christian lobby demanding she act on abortion laws, and her party stance was expected to be rewarded with a cabinet elevation.
Party insiders believe her promotion could reinforce Crisafulli’s plea for the caucus to hold the line and “be normal” as the premier bypasses the halfway mark of the parliamentary term.
Another name being speculated on is Townsville-based MP Janelle Poole, whose decades with the Queensland Police Service could be beneficial when navigating the complex portfolio.
Key to Poole’s consideration is the need to replace the Whitsunday electorate-based Camm with another woman from North Queensland – a crucial detail for a government that celebrates its regional representation.
But party figures doubt the first-term MP is seasoned enough to be thrown to the wolves in an area where the Miles Opposition senses blood.
Other names being discussed for cabinet promotions are Redlands MP Rebecca Young and Cairns-based Bree James.
If on the off chance Crisafulli were to dismiss convention and opt for a male child safety and domestic violence minister, leader of the house Christian Rowan is viewed as a steady performer capable of withstanding the assault on the floor of parliament.
Another left-field alternative is to delay a cabinet promotion and enlist Finance Minister Ros Bates as acting child safety minister until the new year.