Shannon Fentiman shows compassion when Red Carpet Premier Palaszczuk refuses to

Shannon Fentiman – a contender to take over from Annastacia Palaszczuk – has shown a concern for everyday Queenslanders that has been missing for far too long, writes Kylie Lang.

Shannon Fentiman might be newer to the political game than Annastacia Palaszczuk’s preferred successor Steven Miles, but she has shown in the seven months since being strategically saddled with the health portfolio that she has the common touch.

Ms Fentiman has publicly shown empathy for Queenslanders in strife – something the Red Carpet Premier failed to master.

As Ms Palaszczuk’s years as premier dragged on, she merely became more aloof and arrogant.

Compare these examples if you will: Ms Palaszczuk consistently refused to meet victims of youth crime. Not even well-attended rallies by concerned Queensland outside Parliament House could bring her out.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman with outgoing Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in September. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Ms Fentiman, when learning of another’s suffering, has reached out to them.

The Courier-Mail has been campaigning for free meningococcal vaccines for years – since 20-year-old Zoe McGinty died in 2017.

In August, following another article in this newspaper with meningococcal survivor Phoebe O’Connell, Ms Fentiman announced funding for vaccinations for children under two and teenagers aged 15-19.

More needs to be done but it’s a start – and something previous health ministers Yvette D’Ath and Mr Miles flatly refused to do.

Sharyn Washington waited more than 600 days for breast reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy, but Shannon Fentiman met her in person and promised to fast-track the process. Picture: Brian Cassey

In July, when she read about Mareeba woman Sharyn Washington, who had waited more than 600 days for breast reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy, Ms Fentiman met her in person and promised to fast-track the process, and she has.

Ms Palaszczuk, in stark contrast, will be remembered for hard border closures and excessive lockdowns during Covid, showing a belligerence few could believe unless exemption-seekers were footballers or celebrities.

Ordinary folk were prevented from attending funerals, families were cruelly separated, businesses were crushed and mental-health problems spiralled – yet Ms Palaszczuk refused to show compassion, except in a couple of cases only after intense media scrutiny and public outrage.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman and Deputy Premier Steven Miles. Picture: NCA NewsWire/John Gass

More recently, in August when Queenslanders were (and are) doing it tough – terrified about soaring youth crime, being forced into homelessness, and dying while waiting to get into hospital emergency departments, just to name a few glaring issues – she flitted off to the Amalfi coast on holidays.

She might not like the term Red Carpet Premier but she earned it.

Ms Fentiman, so far at least, has demonstrated a concern for everyday Queenslanders that has been missing for far too long.

In that regard alone, she’s already outperforming Mr Miles.

While I don’t believe Labor deserves to win the 2024 election, if Ms Fentiman were to be endorsed by the party caucus on Friday, then the last laugh won’t be Annastacia Palaszczuk’s.