Steven Miles and Cameron Dick (left) are expected to be confirmed as the new Premier and Deputy Premier of Queensland at a Labor Caucus meeting on Friday. Photo: Facebook.
Steven Miles is expected to be confirmed as the next Premier of Queensland at a Labor Caucus meeting on Friday, 15 December.
Following the stepping down and retirement of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, only Mr Miles – who has been her deputy since 2020 – and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman had publicly declared they would run for the position.
But on Tuesday (12 December), Ms Fentiman accepted she didn’t have the numbers and withdrew her candidacy, leaving Mr Miles as the sole candidate.
“It is clear that a majority of Labor Members of Parliament will support Steven Miles to be the next leader of the Labor Party, and therefore the next Premier of Queensland,” Ms Fentiman said in a social media post.
“As a result, I will not be standing as a candidate for the Labor leadership when Caucus meets on Friday. I want to congratulate Steven and offer my support in the work ahead.”
Analysts predict a cabinet reshuffle will likely follow Mr Miles’ appointment as the government prepares to fight an election in 2024. Current Treasurer Cameron Dick will likely be Mr Miles’ deputy. Mr Miles is from the party’s left faction, while Mr Dick heads up the right faction.
In a statement following Ms Palaszczuk’s announcement, Mr Miles confirmed his candidacy as Premier and highlighted the government’s achievements in the nine years since it took power.
“I will be nominating for Leader of the Labor Party and Queensland Premier when the Parliamentary Party meets later this week,” he said on Facebook.
“I want to pay tribute to Annastacia Palaszczuk and thank her for her extraordinary public service, as an MP, a Minister, an Opposition Leader and nine years as Premier.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk will go down in history as a great reforming Labor Premier,” he added. “Much has been achieved over nine years but there’s so much left to do.
“I commit to my colleagues and to Queenslanders that I will work day and night to realise the enormous potential of our great state and its people.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese endorsed Mr Miles’ candidacy, saying he will make “an outstanding Premier”.
“Steven has always stood up for Queensland, from keeping people safe during the pandemic and floods, to delivering more renewable energy for his state,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to working with him more closely through National Cabinet.”
