Analysis: Premier returns early to avoid a huge political gamble

Steven Miles – one of Scott Morrison’s harshest critics – has attempted to avoid repeating the former Prime Minister’s disaster failure, writes Hayden Johnson.

With three disasters in three weeks Steven Miles has faced an unusually tough introduction to the state’s top job – but they’ve presented a major opportunity.

Leadership through disaster is bread and butter for politicians, especially in Queensland.

Yet it’s a fine line between exploiting emotional residents and providing genuine support.

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison offers the best example of what not to do during a disaster.

Mr Miles, one of Mr Morrison’s harshest public critics, has attempted to avoid repeating the former PM’s stupefying failure by quietly cutting short a family holiday.

It’s an undeniable fact politicians are rewarded for effective leadership in a disaster, but despite three in three weeks Mr Miles is yet to capitalise on the situation he finds himself in.

Premier Steven Miles at Tuesday's press conference. Picture: Gold Coast Bulletin

Anna Bligh’s efforts in 2011 – captured in her “we are Queenslanders” speech – temporarily put Labor back in the game against Campbell Newman.

In October 2020 Annastacia Palaszczuk destroyed the LNP and was rewarded for her months of leadership during the pandemic.

While the disasters are not comparable, it does not appear Mr Miles has so far reaped the political reward on offer for strong leadership through a major event.

Questions about his absence – which ended on Tuesday with a surprise appearance at Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate’s press conference – have not helped.

Mr Miles last held a press conference on December 30, when the southeast’s storm recovery was well advanced.

It wouldn’t be until two days later, the first day of his family holiday, when moderate and flash-flooding hit the Gold Coast region.

Mr Miles was due to return to work on Thursday and demands for him to return early were unjustified while Acting Premier Cameron Dick and emergency services handle the situation.

There is little significant flood devastation and the Bureau of Meteorology is saying, at this stage, it is unlikely to be a repeat of the 2022 floods.

However, these weather events can change quickly and by joining Mr Tate the Premier is declining to gamble that they won’t get significantly worse.

Residents on the Gold Coast and in Logan are rightly frustrated by the pace of the rebuild from the Christmas storms.

In the three weeks since becoming Premier Mr Miles has toured Cairns and southeast communities smashed by wild winds and flooding rain.

Politics is perception.

Towards the end of her reign Ms Palaszczuk was effectively painted as being out of touch.

If Labor has any hope of winning this year Mr Miles must avoid that politically fatal ‘out of touch’ tag.

Returning from holidays early indicates, unlike his predecessor, Mr Miles is aware of perception.