Queensland's new health minister has defended his cabinet colleagues after the CFMEU accused Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk of selecting its members based on political loyalty rather than merit.
CFMEU Queensland branch secretary Michael Ravbar issued the salvo on Tuesday, just minutes before the cabinet was sworn in, by saying some ministers had "unbelievably" been allowed to stay on despite failing in their previous position.
But, at his first press conference since taking over the health portfolio, Steven Miles on Wednesday described the expanded 18-member cabinet as a great team.
"You have a wide range of skills and experience," he told reporters.
"I'm looking forward to serving with them all."
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The CFMEU, Mr Miles said, run their own show.
"I'll leave them to outline what those comments were about," he said.
Mr Ravbar did not single out any individuals, but accused Ms Palaszczuk of keeping several colleagues on for personal reasons.
"The premier must have kept these individuals and their portfolios based on friendship and or loyalty because it would not be based on performance," he said in his statement.
Mr Miles said the challenge of his new job was much greater than his previous portfolio of the environment.
"The scale of it is a bit daunting ... but no doubt as I get more into the detail and learn more about it I'll find it just as engaging as I did the environment portfolio," he said.
