New Qld ministers anxious and excited

Queensland's first female indigenous MP says her elevation to the ministry sets a new benchmark for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the state.

Leeanne Enoch, one of two Indigenous MPs in Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's 44-member team, has also been appointed the Minister for Housing and Public Works, Science and Innovation.

She is one of five new faces in the cabinet to have been promoted straight into the ministry.

"It's a huge honour to be able to serve Queensland in this fashion," Ms Enoch said after being sworn in at Government House.

"It will be hard work, but let's let it be hard work and every day I will face that and be excited about every single milestone that we'll make."

Her election and appointment was a source of incredible pride for indigenous Queensland, Ms Enoch said.

Although Treasurer Curtis Pitt has been handed responsibility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Ms Enoch said she was happy with the decision as it added significant power to the portfolio.

"It goes to show that that's where we see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues into the future, that they're at that level in terms of our government," she said.

"What I hope to see in the future with this particular government is what we've already started out on - diversity, a sense of listening to Queenslanders, that sense of anticipation and excitement about the future."

Several first-time MPs and ministers faced the media saying their initial order of business was to be briefed on their portfolios.

For new Environment Minister Steven Miles, the plight of the Great Barrier Reef and its possible rating by UNESCO as being "in danger" was the priority.

Incumbent Labor MP Bill Byrne admitted the ceremony was a little surreal.

"First on my agenda is to find my office," he said.

"Talk to some ministerial staff and talk to some departmental people that I need to."

Minister for Seniors, Disability and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O'Rourke hit back at opposition criticism that government business would grind to a halt due to the mix of inexperience and merged portfolios.

"We've got a lot of plans in place, we have a great team that will be working together to achieve some amazing things over the next three years," she said.