Queensland's opposition has taken aim at the minority Labor government for snubbing primary producers in failing to appoint a new permanent agriculture minister.
Liberal National Party leader Tim Nicholls says it's appalling that Police Minister Bill Byrne was last week appointed as interim agriculture minister following the resignation of Leanne Donaldson.
Ms Donaldson stood down in state parliament on Thursday after it was revealed she had driven an unregistered vehicle on top of an outstanding rates debt of about $8000, which had just been paid by the Labor Party.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is under pressure from the Katter's Australian Party to appoint a regionally-based MP as agriculture minister while renegade former police minister Jo-Ann Miller has put her hand up for a return to cabinet.
The appointment of Mr Byrne, who held the agriculture and fisheries portfolio last year, on an interim basis will prolong the debate going into another week of parliamentary sittings.
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"I think it's pretty appalling that the agriculture sector is now facing it's third minister in 18 months under this government," Mr Nicholls said.
"The agriculture sector is one of the major producers, one of the major employers and one of the major economic drivers in the state and to have to wait longer while the premier sorts out the factional deals speaks volumes for her lack of command and of her party room.
"As we all know, if you can't govern yourself, you can't govern your state."
Ms Palaszczuk said Ms Donaldson was "extremely embarrassed" by her cabinet resignation but she still intended running at the next state election.
The premier on Sunday dodged questions on whether the former minister should be preselected in the seat of Bundaberg, saying it would be a matter for her electorate.
"But she is 100 per cent focused on delivering, she is working hard and she is incredibly embarrassed about what has happened," the premier said.
