Queensland has a new Transport Minister, with former Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel replacing Paul Lucas in the portfolio. Transport has now become part of John Mickel's new super-ministry which will also include Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations. It provides one of Cabinet's tougher performers a strategic portfolio to tackle Queensland's urban congestion and most likely issues where the State's interests have broader ties in employment, trade and industrial relations.

Transport and Main Roads have again been separated, with Main Roads now tied to Local Government. Warren Pitt whose former responsibility was as Minister for Communities, Disability Services, Seniors and Youth will take charge of this new Main Roads and Local Government portfolio.

Main Roads has developed an increasing relationship with local councils to improve road networks - with recent examples include the Boundary-Keliher Road project at Richlands, and the Airport Link project. Main Roads has also increased its funding to local councils to improve road networks outside Brisbane.

Former Transport and Main Roads Minister Paul Lucas has been sworn in as Deputy Premier and takes on the super portfolio of Infrastructure and Planning, named by Ms Bligh as one of the new government's priorities to tackle statewide planning.

While welcoming Mickel's appointment, Transport Workers Union State Secretary Hughie Williams has called on the new Minister to undertake an urgent review of long-distance driving laws. He has also urged Mickel to take an "active approach" in improving the State’s bus industry.