'Low act': Frecklington cops flak for shot at Premier's appearance

Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington has faced a wave of criticism from Labor politicians after taking aim at Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's appearance.

In an interview published on Sunday, Ms Frecklington said the Premier had "deliberately changed her image" with makeup and designer labels.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington faced a swift backlash from colleagues of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk after an interview in which she took aim at her image.Credit: AAP

"I have no choice but to remain grounded, because of [husband] Jason and the girls," Ms Frecklington told News Corp.

"I can have a tough day but then I’ll get a call from one of my kids and you’ve got to deal with whatever’s going on in their lives.

"She, on the other hand, has had a complete makeover – all the makeup, the designer labels, it’s too much, when there are bigger issues to focus on."

The comments, 10 months out from the 2020 state election, sparked a swift backlash on social media from Ms Palaszczuk's city, state and federal colleagues, with Deputy Premier Jackie Trad labelling them "astonishing".

"The last time I saw this level of meanness was actually in the movie Mean Girls," she wrote on Twitter.

Ms Palaszczuk briefly told Nine News she did not want to be drawn into the fray.

"Look if she wants to be petty and nasty I'm not going to get into it," she said.

"I'm just trying to do the best I can for Queensland."

Federal Senator Kristina Keneally also weighed in, urging the Opposition Leader to "be part of the solution", "not part the problem", referencing her time as NSW premier.

"As Premier I wore everything from Scanlan & Theodore to Target to opp shop clothes. Still didn’t stop this headline," she said, sharing a story about how she wore "the same dress twice".

Federal Labor Member for Griffith, Terri Butler, said attacking the Premier for not being a mum was a "low act", noting she had spoken openly in the past about "a miscarriage, four years of IVF, and her endometreosis".

"The nasty personal attack on my friend @AnnastaciaMP is appalling, pathetic and unbecoming for someone who wants to run the great state of Queensland," tweeted federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was criticised for her clothing choices.Credit: Jono Searle/AAP

In the wide-ranging interview, the Opposition Leader also told News Corp she was often mistaken for her counterpart but "we are just such different people".

"She has deliberately changed her image – the whole 'Princess Palaszczuk' is pretty obvious – but I haven’t changed mine."

Kawana LNP MP Jarrod Bleijie doubled down on his leader's interview comments, saying he had long described Ms Palaszczuk as a "princess Premier".

"She prefers the red carpet of Hollywood, the glitz, the glamour, the celebrities, the publicity stunts but has no idea of what's actually happening in her government or state," he wrote on Twitter.

In a statement Sunday afternoon, Ms Frecklington stood by her words, suggesting the Labor party was twisting them.

"I was simply pointing out my real world experience and that my kids keep me grounded," she said.

"I won’t stand by and allow the Labor Party to try and twist the love I have for my kids for some warped political gain.”