Ex-minister Macfarlane offered Qld job

Former federal cabinet minister Ian Macfarlane is considering a job offer from the Queensland government.

Mr Macfarlane, who plans to retire from his rural Queensland seat of Groom at the next election, has been offered the role of resources investment commissioner by the state Labor government.

The non-partisan role involves drumming up new investment for Queensland.

A spokesman for Mr Macfarlane told AAP on Wednesday he had not yet accepted the envoy role and his intention was to stay on in parliament until the election was called.

This would avoid a by-election being held in Groom.

Mr Macfarlane missed out on a ministry role when Malcolm Turnbull took the leadership from Tony Abbott in September.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was not aware Mr Macfarlane had actually been offered the role.

"Ian Macfarlane has applied for the position and he has applied through a merit-based selection process," she said.

"That process is still ongoing and now it is a matter between the director-general of the department and Mr Macfarlane."

However, she acknowledged he would bring a wealth of experience to the position.

Ms Palaszczuk said the successful candidate would be encouraged to start soon.

"The Queensland government would want to see that position filled quickly and we would like whoever is successful in that role to actually start as soon as possible," she said.

"It's a very important position."