Why Annastacia Palaszczuk missed Brisbane crime rally

Annastacia Palaszczuk missed another crime rally, instead heading to the Noosa triathlon, in which her partner was competing. Steven Miles insists she’s still “very much” committed to her job.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk could not front a crowd of Queenslanders fed up with youth crime at a rally through the city on Sunday because she had a pre-existing commitment to kick off a race at the Noosa Triathlon.

But Acting Premier Steven Miles – in the hot seat while Ms Palaszczuk is on a trade mission in China – affirmed the Premier was “very much” still committed to her job.

It is third crime rally Ms Palaszczuk not fronted since late August – two in Brisbane organised by the Voices for Victims advocacy group and one in Townsville that took place while she was in town.

Hundreds of people gather in Brisbane on Sunday to protest against youth crime and a voice for the victims. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Ms Palaszczuk’s office confirmed she was at the Noosa Triathlon on the weekend to kick off the elite female race, which happened about 6.30am.

Noosa Triathlon athlete results show her partner Dr Reza Adib was also a participant in the 40th edition of Australia’s largest triathlon meet.

Hundreds of protesters marched through the Brisbane CBD on Sunday from about 10.30am chanting “Enough is enough,” “Zero tolerance,” and “It is not OK” while they pleaded with the government to take action on crime.

A protester at the Voice For Victims rally in Brisbane on Sunday. Picture: Richard Walker

Mr Miles, asked if it was appropriate for Ms Palaszczuk not to attend the crime rally on Sunday, said Queensland was a “big state”.

“All of us have a lot of commitments, work commitments as well (and) we all have families too, and sometimes, decisions need to be made about when and where we can physically be,” he said.

He noted Ms Palaszczuk had met with the leadership group of Voices for Victims on Thursday evening for about 90 minutes, and that the government had “consistently responded” to their requests.

Ms Palaszczuk is on a five-day trade mission to China designed to reboot the relation with Queensland’s second largest trading partner.

A spokesman for the Premier had previously confirmed Dr Adib would be attending the trade mission to China after being invited by the city of Shanghai.

It was also confirmed taxpayers would not cover the cost of Dr Adib’s attendance, who will be paying his own way on the overseas trip.