Cameron Dick launches bombshell Labor leadership intervention
Treasurer Cameron Dick has laid out the blueprint for how he says the government can fight back and win the next election.
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Treasurer Cameron Dick has laid out the blueprint for how he says the government can fight back and win the next election.
While insisting Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has his “full support”, Mr Dick’s unprompted intervention will be seen as a pointed reminder of his aspirations should the leader be rolled.
The 576-word manifesto was released to The Courier-Mail on one of the most bizarre recent days in Queensland politics, just hours after leadership rivals, Acting Premier Steven Miles and
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman, held a joint press conference where they were all smiles amid a barrage of questions about their intentions.
“I fully accept that, in a little over a year, our government will face its toughest electoral test yet,” Mr Dick wrote.
“But I do not believe the situation is as dire as some make out.
“There are 52 members of our Labor Caucus. I believe that every single one can be re-elected.”
Mr Dick’s manifesto fails to mention Annastacia Palaszczuk by name and doesn’t mention “the Premier” for 158 words.
However, in a separate statement, he insisted she would continue to lead the party.
“As Treasurer, I am focused on continuing to build on Queensland’s economic strength, under the leadership of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk,” he said.
“She has my full support.”
Mr Dick is the second most senior right-faction member behind Ms Palaszczuk, and is widely regarded as a contender to replace her.
However, the erosion of Labor’s old guard faction and strength of the left could see Mr Miles and Ms Fentiman make a joint run for the leader and deputy of the Labor Party – effectively ending Mr Dick’s hopes.
Rumblings within the party about Ms Palaszczuk’s judgement in travelling to Europe alongside her partner, Reza Adib, just days after a chaotic week in parliament has prompted the most serious speculation about her future since she became Premier in 2015.
While no serious challenge will take place while union powerbrokers maintain support for Ms Palaszczuk, Mr Dick declared persistent chatter was damaging.
“Speculation around the future of our government is unhelpful as we address the issues that matter most to Queenslanders, having a job and a safe place to live,” he said.
Mr Dick was appointed the Bligh government’s Attorney-General immediately after his election in 2009.
He was defeated in Campbell Newman’s landslide in 2012 before returning in 2015, serving in the health, state development, infrastructure, trade and treasury portfolios since.
The Treasurer, arguably the Palaszczuk government’s best parliamentary brawler, used the election manifesto to warn of the “damage that would be wrought on the economic prosperity and social cohesion” if Opposition leader David Crisafulli becomes Premier.
Mr Dick noted the defeat of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison – who Mr Miles regularly attacked – made the Queensland government’s task more difficult
“When Labor governs at both federal and state levels, the expectations of voters are even higher,” he said.
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