Editorial: Qld Premier Steven Miles to learn true meaning of power

Premier Steven Miles is off to a good start, but must continue to be the steady hand at the tiller, writes the editor.

Steven Miles faced a test of leadership almost simultaneously with being sworn in as Queensland premier on December 15.

And it is vitally important to his future leadership prospects that he is seen by the Queensland public to pass that test.

As Mr Miles was taking his oath of office at Government House on December 15, a Cyclone Jasper-inspired deluge was already flooding the state’s north.

As the still reeling north dried out, the southeast was struck by a series of flash storms which have left a trail of destruction costing billions of dollars and destroying Christmas for thousands of Queensland families.

These storms will almost certainly continue in the days, and possibly weeks ahead, with some weather watchers predicting unstable atmospheric conditions continuing until February.

Mr Miles has already displayed some of that empathy which was a trademark of his predecessor.

He travelled to Cairns with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week and spoke personally to flood victims. The Premier also quickly went to work with the Commonwealth, hammering out a $64m support package including grants for small businesses and primary producers as well as funding for a tourism support campaign.

This week the Premier has two priorities – get urgent help to those who need their homes secured and debris removed, and ensure electricity is reconnected to South East Queensland households as swiftly as possible.

The State Emergency Service is dealing with hundreds of requests for assistance while local councils are also shouldering much of the responsibility for clearing away the residue of the storms.

Mr Miles has acknowledged he will have to ensure mayors across the southeast are receiving extra support from state agencies to clean up this mess as quickly as possible, particularly in view of the potential for storms again this weekend.

Many residents have said they are still waiting for emergency crews to come to their homes, and some have even called for the Army to help with the clean-up.

The Premier says local disaster management groups are so far coping with demand – but he will need to monitor this situation very carefully and speak frequently to those on the ground to ensure the state isn’t caught napping.

The storms have caused significant damage to the state’s energy grid with the cyclonic winds strong enough to snap a 30m high concrete pole.

Yesterday afternoon there were still more than 80,000 homes from Gympie to the New South Wales border without power.

The restoration of power is a vital first step back to normality for households. Those 430 Energex field crew personnel who have been working pretty much around the clock to get power restored are heroes in their own right, as are the Ergon crews working in the north.

But Queensland householders who have faced increasingly expensive power bills will rapidly lose patience if power is not restored in at least 48 hours.

Queenslanders are well aware Energex and Ergon are subsidiaries of Energy Queensland Limited and government-owned corporations.

As far as ordinary householders are concerned, the buck now stops with Mr Miles.

The newly installed Premier is hopefully not looking to his own political self-interest in the days ahead, but viewing this crisis as an opportunity to connect with the people of this state and display a capacity for genuine leadership.

He is off to a good start.

But he must continue to be the steady hand at the tiller, providing Queenslanders with a calm reassurance that this is a crisis we can collectively deal with.

AVO GODFATHER GONE TOO SOON

Australian chef Bill Granger’s impact on the country’s foodie scene can’t be underestimated.

He was, after all, known as the “godfather” of avocado toast – a dish that has become a staple in cafes across the country.

His death on Christmas Day will come as a shock to many.

Celebrities including Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson and Hugh Jackman have led tributes to the self-taught cook, who had restaurants in Sydney, London, Osaka, Fukuoka, Seoul and Hawaii and authored 14 cookbooks.

“I admired everything he represented in food. I remember the first time I met him many moons ago he couldn’t have been nicer and his food is so good,” Oliver said.

But the tribute shared by his family gives the most poignant insight into the 54-year-old.

“He will be deeply missed by all, with his loss most profoundly felt by his adored family, who are grateful for all the love and support that has been given,” they wrote.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here