‘Bloodless coup’: Powerful group joined forces to end Palaszczuk’s reign

A former Queensland minister has emerged as one of the chief architects in the plot to end the reign of Annastacia Palaszczuk and install Steven Miles as Premier.

Former Queensland minister Kate Jones was instrumental in installing Steven Miles as Premier, emerging as one of the chief architects in the plot to end the reign of Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Three years after quitting politics for a fulfilling life in the private sector, Ms Jones offered her informal assistance to union mastermind Gary “Blocker” Bullock in the operation to end Ms Palaszczuk’s tenure.

Kate Jones at Government House as Steven Miles is sworn in as Premier. Photo Steve Pohlner

The wheels were already slowly in motion as early as August 16, when Mr Bullock was spotted having a beer with Mr Miles at the Pig ’N’ Whistle in South Brisbane on the sidelines of the Labor National Conference.

It can be revealed that it was also in August that Ms Jones – who attended Mr Miles’s swearing-in on Friday – became increasingly frustrated with the direction of the state government under Ms Palaszczuk’s leadership and cemented a view it was time for her to go.

Ms Jones declined to comment on Friday.

By August 26, the plot quickened when Ms Palaszczuk quietly jetted to Europe unannounced – leaving Mr Miles as Acting Premier.

Kate Jones announcing her candidacy for Ashgrove with Annastacia Palaszczuk at Dorrington Park in Ashgrove. Pic Annette Dew

At this point, Mr Bullock told associates he still supported the Premier but she would need to improve. He was forming the view her time was up, while Ms Jones would slowly get to work courting MPs.

At the time, while Labor MPs were privately critical of Ms Palaszczuk, nobody would publicly urge her to step aside.

Ms Palaszczuk then knew an increasing number of Labor MPs, party officials and stakeholders were turning on her, but she took comfort knowing none of them would have the gall to knife her.

Steven Miles and Kate Jones. Picture: Adam Head

The Premier also knew her former minister was involved but had little power to stop her.

By December 3, as has been reported in this masthead, the plotting was well under way.

This was the night of the Queensland Hotels Association’s Christmas Party.

Ms Jones joined Mr Miles, Mr Bullock, Di Farmer and Robert Schwarten in deep conversation.

It was the very next day Mr Schwarten offered his unprompted thoughts to The Courier-Mail – Labor needed a “new model”. There was no doubt the slow, public assassination of Ms Palaszczuk’s leadership had started.

Kate Jones with Robert Schwarten.

Ms Jones knew the key to bringing down Ms Palaszczuk was momentum, and she had a plan.

Criticism of Ms Palaszczuk’s leadership started with the feather light suggestions from Mr Schwarten but would crash with a crescendo the next day courtesy of former Labor MP Bob Gibbs’s criticism.

Behind the scenes, Ms Jones was frustrated the momentum had come while Mr Miles was in Dubai – and couldn’t make a move. She lobbied behind the scenes for more of the party faithful to speak up and continue the pressure until Mr Miles returned.

In the end it was a bloodless coup.