George Street Beef: Qld politics news and gossip (from Beef Week)

Steven Miles said he was close to his predecessor Annastacia Palaszczuk in the nine years they worked together. So what happened? THIS IS GEORGE STREET BEEF

Then premier Annastacia Palaszczuk with her then deputy Steven Miles at Longreach in 2021

Premier Steven Miles said last week he hadn’t caught up with his predecessor Annastacia Palaszczuk in the six months since she departed.

Which was weird, because we distinctly remember a very different sentiment back in February, when Mr Miles said he would be seeking Ms Palaszczuk’s counsel.

We went back and checked the tape, where he said he caught up with her just after she resigned but understood she was currently on holiday (which she was, at the time).

“I’m keen to have a coffee with her when she is back,” he said.

”She was my boss for nine years … we were close.

“We are a different government and we will do things differently but that doesn't mean I won’t ask her opinion on things.”

GET SMART

Ms Palaszczuk was back in the spotlight amid news she would take on a new role at the Smart Energy Council.

She told the ABC there was nothing political about the role – but she had always just a passion for the sector.

We have no doubt to believe that’s not true.

And someone else passionate about the sector is, of course, Energy Minister Mick de Brenni.

In fact, so passionate is he that he gave the Smart Energy Council a share of almost $3m in funding for a solar panel recovery pilot, to be shared with the Queensland Renewable Energy Council and the Clean Energy Council.

In a media release from Mr de Brenni from April 12, Smart Energy Council chief executive John Grimes was quoted as saying “the Smart Energy Council congratulates the Queensland Government on its ongoing national leadership in solar uptake and solar stewardship”.

What better leadership than having the previous premier of almost a decade on your books?

NO RECORD

It would have been one for the history books but she just couldn’t get there in the end. Ms Palaszczuk would have surpassed Peter Beattie’s tenure as Queensland premier on Saturday.

Mr Beattie was Premier for 9 years and 85 days – Queensland’s 4th longest serving leader behind William Forgan Smith, Frank Nicklin and Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen.

Ms Palaszczuk will settle for 5th after serving 8 years and 304 days – a fair crack in her own right.

She of course remains the longest serving female leader of any state or territory in the nation, and by a significant amount.

RUNNING WITH THE BULLS

Politicians always run the risk of their press conferences being gatecrashed by unhappy punters, but when you’re at Beef2024 in Rockhampton the intruder will likely be a cow.

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie had to pause his attacks on the Labor government after an errant cow began bucking in the background.

He playfully tried to blame it on Labor before accusing your George Street Beef correspondent of whipping out the iPhone to capture video for posterity should he get taken out.

Thankfully Opposition agriculture spokesman Tony Perrett was nearby to bring some cattle rustling skill to the fore and make sure Mr Bleijie – who represents an electorate on the Sunshine Coast – lived to see another day.

KEEPING UP WITH JONES

Queensland Labor’s factions are at loggerheads over a move by the powerful Left to manoeuvre high-profile former minister Kate Jones into the Senate.

Queensland Labor holds just five of 30 federal seats and three of 12 Senate spots in the state, with its stocks diminishing at the last federal election.

There are now moves afoot to snatch the second spot on Labor’s Senate ticket from the Right faction and hand it to the Left-aligned Old Guard.

This would open up the position to Ms Jones – a former minister turned ARLC commissioner and Council of Australia executive director – seen as a high-profile campaigner with the ability to boost the party’s chances.

Ms Jones played a key role in securing support among Old Guard factional allies to install Steven Miles as party leader after Annastacia Palaszczuk resigned late last year.

It is understood the Left believe the numbers on the Right have shrunk so considerably in recent years they are no longer entitled to an automatic spot on the Senate ticket as they did in the past.

Former minister Kate Jones

But opinions are divided even within factions, with some on the Left questioning why the more powerful side of the room wouldn’t simply take the spot for itself.

Those on the Left said the predicament was the fault of the Right, which had not yet put forward a compelling candidate for the position despite it being vacant since 2019.

Right faction members said the Left had its priorities wrong and called for them to focus on winning seats in Queensland rather than sparking a power struggle.

A Labor Right source said the Left needed to be reminded even if they were successful in installing Ms Jones in the Senate she might just be an Opposition backbencher if the party did not win government.

Some aren’t sure the divisive issue would go all the way to a ballot, which under Labor’s rules involve a statewide vote of rank-and file members and of the unions.

At the next federal election the top spot on Labor’s ticket will go to sitting Left senator Nita Green.

The second spot is normally reserved for the Right faction.

Ms Jones could not be reached for comment.

LAUGHABLE BOOK DEAL

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli could not help but crack a smile when asked what he thought of Annastacia Palaszczuk’s new gig and potential upcoming book deal.

The former Labor premier took the phrase “grass is always greener on the other side” quite literally when selecting her first role outside of politics -becoming an ambassador of Australia’s Smart Energy Council.

Asked what he thought of the move this week, Mr Crisafulli gave a frank response, saying it was her call to make.

“Provided rules are respected when it comes to dealing with the state government,” he said.

But when pressed on whether he would purchase Stacia’s rumoured memoir, Crisafulli broke into a chuckle and stared back at the media saying nothing.

Like the old saying goes, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.