Dale Last

Born and educated in Bundaberg, Dale spent more than 25 years as a Police Officer at stations throughout regional Queensland before being appointed to the role of Officer in Charge at the Townsville Police Station in 2000.
After leaving the Police Service, Dale was elected to Townsville City Council and served as Councillor and Deputy Mayor from 2008 to 2012.
Dale has operated his own small business and held roles in Emergency Management Queensland, the employment services sector and in program delivery aimed at increasing employment and school attendance on Palm Island.
Dale was first elected as Member for Burdekin in January 2015.  Whilst in opposition, Dale’s shadow portfolios included Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Police, Natural Resources and Mines, Fire and Emergency Services, Corrective Services and Rural and Regional Affairs.
Since the election of the Crisafulli government in October 2024, Dale has been Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development.
Dale also chairs the Resources Cabinet Committee which is tasked with creating an environment for growth in the resources sector while also delivering government accountability.  Additionally, Dale plays a key role in projects and programmes including the establishment of a Manufacturing Hub in Toowoomba, increased funding under the Made in Queensland grants program and the delivery of sealed roads in regional Queensland.
Dale was awarded the National Police Service Medal for 25 years of service and the National Police Medal for diligent long service to the community in hazardous circumstances.