Australia’s longest-serving woman premier and ‘Queensland champion’ Palaszczuk resigns

Queensland Deputy Premier deputy Steven Miles is the frontrunner to take over from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who finishes up this week.

Miles on Sunday declared his nomination for the top job immediately after Palaszczuk announced her resignation and gave him her personal endorsement.

“(Miles) is strong and what you see is what you get with Steven,” the member for Murrumba said.

“Everything in this state is set up for such a bright future.

“I’m absolutely committed to ensuring a smooth transition and the building blocks are all there — it’s up to the next person to ensure that that building continues.”

Miles could face competition from Attorney-General Minister Shannon Fentiman or Treasurer Cameron Dick, although both are yet to formally declare if they will run.

The Queensland Labor caucus will meet on Friday to endorse their new parliamentary leader, ahead of a state election in October next year.

ALP national president Wayne Swan, a Queenslander, on Monday said he thought Miles would be a good premier.

“He probably is the frontrunner, but it’s not for me to nominate who’s going to win the caucus ballot,” he told Nine’s Today program on Monday.

Swan also rejected questions about the timing of Palacaszuk’s announcement, given there is a cyclone bearing down on the Queensland coast.

“Come on! If there’s going to be a change over a year out (from the state election) is the time to do it, around this time of year is a good time, a sensible time, in the interests of the state to do it right now,” Swan said.

Cyclone Jasper was about 850km east of Cairns as of 4pm AEST on Sunday, and residents between Cooktown and Ingham have been warned to expect damaging 90 km/h winds to develop from Tuesday.

Miles on Sunday paid tribute to Palaszczuk’s years of public service, saying she brought the state Labor party back to office “at a time when people had written us off for a generation”.

Dick also thanked Palaszczuk for her leadership, saying she had protected Queensland from the “ravages of COVID so that we emerged with a strong economy and record jobs growth”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the outgoing Queensland premier, noting she was Australia’s longest-serving female premier and a champion for Queensland.

“She retires a Labor hero,” he said.

Australian Olympics powerbroker John Coates reserved special praise for the departing premier after their personal collaboration to bring the Summer Games to the Sunshine State in 2032.

Standing alongside and standing up for the people of QLD as Labor's Premier has been the honour of my life.

I've always drawn my strength from the people of QLD, working to make our state fairer and more prosperous for the future.

I have given it my all.

Thank you Queensland. pic.twitter.com/MooH27SJvW

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@a_palaszczuk) December 10, 2023

“The Olympic movement in Australia and Olympic sports will be forever indebted to the premier for her role in securing these Games,” Coates said.

“She recognised the great legacy the Games will leave Queensland and Australia, giving generations of children in particular the opportunity to dream.”

This article was first published by AAP.