Annastacia Palaszczuk accused of snubbing own MPs amid leadership rumblings

Acting Premier Steven Miles has appeared unfazed when he was called “Premier” during a morning interview, as he faced a grilling over the growing dissatisfaction with Annastacia Palaszczuk.

• Editor’s view: Premier may follow Joyce out

Acting Premier Steven Miles says backbenchers have not raised with him the growing dissatisfaction with Annastacia Palaszczuk, as he confirmed he still has not heard from the Premier during her European holiday.

It comes after Labor sources including backbenchers on Wednesday told The Courier-Mail Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had not had a direct conversation with some of her backbenchers for years, outlining a culture in government breeding unhappiness and disenchantment among MPs.

Appearing on Nine’s Today Show on Thursday, Mr Miles appeared unfazed when host Karl Stefanovic called him “Premier” and peppered him with questions over the leadership of the state.

“She’s clearly lost some of the party support … journalists say they’ve spoken with senior ALP sources who confirmed the cabinet is fractured. Are you saying these journalists are lying?” Mr Stefanovic asked.

Acting Premier Steven Miles says he still hasn’t heard from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk since her Italy trip began. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Miles said: “No Karl, you know what it’s like, there’s always there’s always chatter and gossip and talk and sometimes there’s a bit more of that, sometimes there’s a bit less of that.

“I can tell you that none of the people quoted anonymously in the paper have spoken to me. They haven’t raised those concerns with me.”

Calling him a “straight-talker”, Mr Stefanovic asked whether he would be Premier in a week’s time – the Acting Premier said “no”.

“The Premier has been very clear that she intends to lead the state to the next election and beyond, and I think she’s the best person to do that,” Mr Miles said.

“She has been a very successful leader through the ups and downs Queensland has experienced over the last eight years.”

Mr Miles was also grilled about the Premier’s lack of involvement in the Voice for Victims meeting held yesterday, and the decision to install an independent ministerial advisory committee made last night as a result of Monday’s cabinet meeting – a meeting held without the Premier.

Asked why the meeting wouldn’t have been postponed until Ms Palaszczuk returned, Mr Miles said it was due to sticking to the group’s deadline.

“She certainly knew before she went away that we wanted to meet that deadline,” he said.

“While the cat’s away you are playing”, Mr Stefanovic ribbed, while Mr Miles said he was focused on “being a loyal deputy”.

On Wednesday, Labor sources said it was a gripe that has been around for years, with some viewing the lack of engagement with caucus as a lack of respect the people who she’ll ultimately rely on for support.

Ms Palaszczuk’s drive for the top job has been called into question over the past week, with the leadership rumblings coinciding with her decision to go on a European sojourn with surgeon partner Dr Reza Adib in the immediate aftermath of a bruising parliamentary week.

Despite consecutive published polls showing Ms Palaszczuk’s popularity had dived, few believe an alternative option could do better for Labor at upcoming 2024 election.

A Labor source said the increased rumblings from unnamed figures was about sending Ms Palaszczuk “a message” which says “we don’t want you to go, we just want you to listen”.

It’s understood backbenchers can find it hard to get the ear of the Premier and feel uncomfortable raising issues in regular caucus meetings.

Acting Premier Steven Miles was doing the rounds on breakfast TV on Thursday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / John Gass

“There are MPs who haven’t spoken to the Premier for years,” a Labor source said.

But not all backbenchers agree, with some saying it was a case of asking and getting a word in hadn’t been an issue.

One MP said the leadership speculation and grumblings over the last week was pointless and akin to “sh**ting in your own nest”.

Labor figures said fostering a collegiate relationship and understanding within caucus was key to being Premier, and a lack of that was disrespectful to a group of people who are ultimately needed should a leader want to hold on to power.

A spokesman for the Premier said caucus met each Monday in weeks parliament sits.

“(And) the Premier has an open door to any MP who wants to meet with her and she regularly does meet with them,” he said.

Acting Premier Steven Miles, a day after helming a cabinet meeting in the Premier’s absence, flew to Rockhampton to unveil the new home for a wedge-tailed eagle — paid for by the state government. He also took the opportunity to hand feed an emu alongside Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli was also in Rockhampton where he held a press conference alongside his police spokesman Dale Last on the ongoing youth crime issue.