QUEENSLAND Nationals MP Michelle Landry has been appointed her party’s Chief Whip in Canberra to replace Victorian Damian Drum.
The Capricornia MP who held onto her seat at the 2016 federal election, playing a critical role in the Coalition retaining government with a slender one seat majority, revealed her promotion today with federal parliament sitting for the first time in 2018.
The new role also sees her elevated to the Nationals’ leadership team following Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie’s election to the position of deputy-leader behind Barnaby Joyce, late last year.
“The Whip’s role is a vitally important one within the parliamentary team, responsible for the organising of speakers, votes and responsible for team unity,” Ms Landry said.
“Joining the leadership team will help me place even more focus on the issues that matter to Capricornia.
“Issues like water security, workplace casualization, transport and communications infrastructure, and protecting our kids from cyber-bullying, will remain at the top of my priorities and I look forward to prosecuting them with gusto.”
Ms Landry is just the second woman to serve as Whip of The Nationals giving the Coalition a first, with women holding Chief Whip positions for the Liberals and Nationals.
WA rural Liberal MP and dairy farmer Nola Marino is the Chief Whip for the Liberals and the first woman to be the Australian Chief Government Whip.
“This is a great milestone for women in politics and I hope it serves to provide some level of inspiration and hope to women across the country who aspire to be involved.” Ms Landry said.
Mr Drum was appointed Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister in the ministerial reshuffle before Christmas.
Senator McKenzie was also elected deputy-leader of the Nationals in the Senate this morning.
“I look forward to working with our fierce Nationals leadership team, including Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and Senate Leader Nigel Scullion, to continue our agenda of cutting taxes, providing affordable childcare and implementing effective energy policies to bring down electricity and gas prices,” she said.
NSW Nationals MP Kevin Hogan was elected Deputy Whip.
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