This was published 4 years ago
Who is tipped to become Queensland's deputy premier?
By Lydia Lynch
Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles has been tipped as the state's next deputy premier after Jackie Trad stood down on Saturday.
Ms Trad announced she would step away from her ministerial duties while the state’s corruption watchdog launched an investigation into her alleged role in the appointment of a school principal.
Jackie Trad has stood aside from her ministerial duties.Credit: AAP/Dan Peled
Head of the Labor Party's Left faction, Ms Trad had served as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's deputy since 2015.
Insiders have told Brisbane Times that Mr Miles, now the most senior minister in the left, is the frontrunner to step up as deputy premier.
Mr Miles has previously represented Ms Trad when she was on leave.
The party’s powerful Left faction boasts eight cabinet members compared with the Right faction's six, headed by the Premier.
Brisbane Times has been told other Left faction ministers including Mark Bailey, Shannon Fentiman and Mark Ryan are not considered contenders for the deputy premier position.
It is understood the next deputy premier must come from the Left faction, which holds 24 of the caucus' 47 votes.
Insiders say Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles is likely to become the state's next deputy premier.Credit: AAP
That leaves the most senior members of the party's centrist faction Old Guard - Kate Jones and Grace Grace - out of the running.
Mr Miles has been contacted for comment.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she would take over responsibility for Ms Trad's Treasury portfolio and act as Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships.
"The Deputy Premier advised me of her decision to stand aside while this investigation proceeds. I accept that her decision is the correct course of action," Ms Palaszczuk said.
Ms Trad was referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission in November last year by LNP opposition MP Jarrod Bleijie over allegations she had interfered in the selection process for the principal of the Inner City South State Secondary College.
Ms Trad has always maintained she has not acted inappropriately.
When making a short statement on Saturday in which she did not take questions, Ms Trad reiterated she believed she had done nothing wrong.
“I will cooperate fully with this investigation, it will provide me with an opportunity to set the record straight with this matter,” she said.
“Let me be clear - no applicant to the principal position was known to me in any capacity, personally, political or professional.
“Further I have never expressed a view to anyone on who should fill that role.”
The CCC confirmed on Saturday it had opened an investigation into the matter.
"It is important to note all allegations should be treated as unsubstantiated until a final outcome is reached," the watchdog said in a statement.
"Considering the investigation remains ongoing, it is not appropriate for the CCC to comment further on this matter."
- with Stuart Layt