A former federal senator turned state backbencher has been sworn into a sensitive portfolio after the resignation of an embattled minister.
Amanda Stoker was sworn in as Queensland's Minister for Domestic and Family Violence and Child Safety on Saturday, replacing Amanda Camm.
Ms Stoker previously served as a Queensland Senator from 2018 to 2022 in Scott Morrison's government.
She held the roles of Assistant Minister for Women and Industrial Relations and Assistant to the Attorney-General.
After an internal stoush saw her relegated to third spot on the Queensland Senate voting ticket, Stoker lost her seat to the Greens in the 2022 federal election.
She quickly transitioned to state politics, winning the state seat of Oodgeroo, taking in the Redlands districts in Brisbane's outer southeast as well as Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).
As a federal senator, Ms Stoker was outspoken on abortion, frequently addressing pro-life rallies.
At one in April 2022, she addressed the perception of a conflict between her role as Assistant Minister for Women and her staunchly held views.
"In my mind, there is absolutely no conflict possible between supporting women and supporting the most vulnerable people in our community," she said.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has avoided raising the issue in his first term of government, to the point of gagging debate on the state's abortion laws.
Abortion was legalised by the former Labor government led by Annastacia Paluszczuk, under the Termination of Pregnancy Act 2018.
Ms Camm, the MP for the north Queensland seat of Whitsunday, quit on Friday citing concerns for her health after returning from six weeks medical leave.
She also voiced fears for her personal safety after the alleged attack on federal MP Helen Haines, saying she had also been the target of threats and harassment.
Thuringowa MP Natalie Marr was sworn in as new Assistant Finance Minister on Saturday.
