Labor caucus: Former premier Steven Miles begins rebuilding process

Steven Miles has unveiled a new shadow cabinet – minus two former ministers – but can’t say who’s doing what.

Opposition Leader Steven Miles has unveiled a new shadow cabinet in the first meeting of Labor’s diminished caucus – but can’t say who’s doing what.

Mr Miles was elected unopposed as leader while former deputy premier Cameron Dick will stay on as deputy opposition leader.

Those gathered at Parliament House included Labor’s candidate in South Brisbane Dr Barbara O’Shea and Aspley’s Bart Mellish even though their wins are not yet secure.

Embattled Stafford MP Jimmy Sullivan was not there.

Cameron Dick and Steven Miles have been elected unopposed to lead the Labor party.

Shannon Fentiman, the left-faction ally of Mr Miles, is expected to become shadow treasurer.

Former Transport Minister Mark Bailey returns while Joan Pease, Tom Smith, Corinne McMillan and Linus Power are new faces.

“New faces mean new approaches and that will help us rebuild trust with Queensland,” Mr Dick said.

However, former ministers Mark Ryan and Mark Furner were dumped from the shadow front bench.

“Well this is the outcome of the caucus process,” Mr Miles said.

“We clearly wanted to incorporate some new faces, and in order to do that, some people need to take on other roles.”

Steven Miles and Grace Grace arrive at the Queensland Labor caucus. Picture: David Clark

However, Mr Miles has not been able to say what the new frontbench will be doing.

He intends to announce the make-up by the end of the week.

“Caucus has only just elected our shadow government – I’ll now meet with them all, discuss with them the most appropriate portfolios and to be able to announce those,” he said.

Labor’s 35 surviving MPs – with the exception of Stafford MP Jimmy Sullivan – met in Queensland Parliament on Tuesday to endorse the frontbench tasked with prosecuting the LNP government.

The Queensland Labor caucus. Picture: David Clark

Labor’s Barbara O’Shea is expected to win South Brisbane, while former transport minister Bart Mellish is in a tight fight in Aspley.

Both attended the caucus meeting, along with new MPs Bisma Asif and Wendy Bourne.

For defying the odds and extending his 2020 margin of nine votes to some 900 votes, Bundaberg MP Mr Smith was promoted to Labor’s front bench.

Grace Grace will remain a member of Labor’s inner leadership.

Stafford MP Jimmy Sullivan was absent for Labor’s first caucus meeting in opposition.

“I asked that leave continue until all legal and health matters are resolved,” Mr Miles said on Monday.

“I understand that is at least until the 5th of December.

“We want to support him through addressing his health issues.”

Mr Miles said Labor needed to reconnect with regional Queenslanders to understand where it all went wrong.

“And tomorrow, Cameron and I will start that task,” Mr Miles said.

“We’ll be off to Townsville to meet with Townsville locals and talk with them about what we should have done differently, what we should have done better, and how we can support them these next, these next four years.”