Gary Bullock pushing for Shannon Fentiman to be Labor deputy leader

Strings are being pulled behind the scenes to have Steven Miles dump Cameron Dick and make Left faction colleague Shannon Fentiman his deputy.

Miles could have Fentiman as his deputy.

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Steven Miles is being urged by union heavyweight Gary Bullock to dump Cameron Dick and make Left faction colleague Shannon Fentiman his deputy leader in a shock move that has already sparked anger within the Labor Party.

Sources have told The Courier-Mail Mr Bullock – leader of the powerful United Workers’ Union – is testing the waters for Ms Fentiman to be promoted to deputy leader as Labor prepares for four years in opposition.

The position will be voted on by Labor’s diminished caucus, but deals between factions are done before the ballot takes place.

It comes as David Crisafulli was on Monday morning sworn in as the 41st Queensland Premier.

Electing Ms Fentiman as deputy would give the Left faction both leadership positions.

Gary Bullock wants Shannon Fentiman as deputy. Picture: Adam Head

Speculation about dumping Mr Dick, the outgoing deputy premier, has sparked an outcry among Right MPs who are already critical of Mr Bullock’s grip on Mr Miles and the party.

Mr Dick is the leader of Labor’s minority Right faction who is understood to have decided against running for the leadership after Mr Miles indicated he would.

A Right faction source said Mr Dick “expects” to stay on as deputy leader, noting he and Mr Miles “worked well together”.

In December the Left and Right factions struck a deal to make Mr Miles premier and Mr Dick deputy premier.

The deal, agreed to between Mr Bullock and Mr Dick’s Australian Workers’ Union boss Stacey Schinnerl, ended Ms Fentiman’s tilt at the leadership.

Mr Miles joined Ms Fentiman, Mr Dick, Labor MPs and staffers at its traditional post-election gathering at the Brekky Creek Hotel on Sunday.

A source within Labor’s policy advocacy group, Labor Forum, said shared factional representation was key to the party’s future success.

“Power sharing is important for stability at this time,” they said.

“The week will unfold as it unfolds.”

Mr Bullock was contacted for comment.