Due to a serious medical condition, Bill Byrne has tendered his resignation as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Economic Development.
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RESPONSE FROM PREMIER ANNASTACIA PALASZCZUK:
Bill will not recontest the seat of Rockhampton at the next State election, but he will serve the remainder of this term in the Parliament.
Bill has been advised that his condition is life-threatening, and he will undertake more tests in Brisbane next week.
Throughout his career, in the Australian Defence Force, as a Member for Parliament and recently as a Minister, Bill has put others ahead of himself and his family.
I know with the arrival of their first grandson Wyatt has brought so much joy to Bill and his wife Kim. They are looking forward to the arrival of a second grandchild in the New Year.
Bill told me he did not want to put that at risk. I know Kim and having nursed Wyatt, I could not ask Bill - based on his medical advice - to take that risk.
Bill is a great friend and colleague. He was one of only seven Members in the Labor Caucus after the devastating loss of 2012, and we worked so hard together to demonstrate to Queenslanders there was a better way than the cut-sack-sell approach of the LNP Government.
In Government, Bill has played a critical role delivering on what we promised – restoring frontline services and creating jobs for Queenslanders.
I have asked Minister for State Development, Natural Resources and Mines Dr Anthony Lynham to serve as Acting Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Economic Development.
