Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has started her second term by ticking a box she wasn't prepared to do during the state election - venturing into Queensland's outback.
Ms Palaszczuk, criticised for overlooking the bush in the November election campaign, has been quick to try and make up for it on her first regional trip since being returned to office.
During the campaign, the premier only travelled as far west as Dalby in the Darling Downs, focusing her attention instead on Labor heartland in southeast and central Queensland, as well as key battleground seats in the north.
But on Tuesday she flew to Roma and Miles, and will venture further into the outback on Wednesday when she visits Longreach, smack-bang in the middle of the Sunshine State.
Ms Palaszczuk and Agriculture Minister Mark Furner first met with cattle farmers at Australia's biggest sale yard in Roma to announce plans to help those in financial distress.
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The government's Farm Debt Restructure Office will give farmers free access to expert business and financial advice as the state's agricultural sector reaches a projected $19.8 billion in 2017-18, despite some producers struggling against drought conditions.
"I know there are a lot of farmers right across Queensland that are hoping that monsoonal trough up north ventures further south and further inland," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"But also we know that during the drought times here in Queensland, some farmers and graziers have been doing it tough and that is why my government is determined to do as much as possible as we can to help."
The re-elected Labor government now has the slim majority it needs to push its agenda through parliament, but among its top priorities is introducing stricter vegetation management laws that are deeply unpopular in the bush.
The proposed legislation, which would make it harder for farmers to clear land, was voted down by the Liberal National Party and crossbench when it was first introduced last year.
The government must now work to be seen as one that will get behind farmers in a bid to soften the blow when its legislation passes.
As part of their two-day appeal to farmers, Ms Palaszczuk toured the under-construction Darling Downs Solar Farm in Miles.
