Watch: Ministers react as shock poll sends shockwaves through parliament

Queensland Labor politicians have backed Annastacia Palaszczuk to remain in the top job despite a plunge in popularity, while maintaining she’s not the only one to keep the party in office.

Cabinet Minister Craig Crawford declared the Labor government has “many competent people” who could replace Annastacia Palaszczuk as leader as a new poll reveals the Premier’s popularity has plummeted.

The senior minister insisted, however, the party was “rock solid” behind the Premier remaining as leader despite an exclusive YouGov poll conducted for The Courier-Mail revealing the LNP had edged ahead on a two-party preferred basis 52-48 per cent.

Minister Craig Crawford says the Labor Party is “rock solid” behind Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Glenn Campbell/NcaNewsWire

The net satisfaction drop of 20 points for Ms Palaszczuk is particularly bruising for the government and is likely to fuel speculation about the Premier’s election victory prospects in 12 months’ time.

Mr Crawford threw his support behind the Premier, leaning on her record of three successive election victories as evidence of her formidable campaigning prowess.

But he acknowledged “I don’t think she’s the only person out there” who could deliver Labor a fourth term of government.

“We’re fortunate to have many, many competent people that could provide that leadership,” Mr Crawford said.

“But we’re rock solid behind her – she’s been fantastic for us, she’s been great for Queensland and I don’t see any reason why we would change.”

Annastacia Palaszczuk has experienced a net satisfaction drop of 20 points. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

A spokeswoman for the Premier said the government was “focused on one thing – delivering cost of living relief for Queenslanders”.

“A Crisafulli government would risk a return to Newman era cutting, sacking and selling,” she said.

Treasurer Cameron Dick, who has been touted as a potential contender for the top job as the second most senior Right faction figure behind Ms Palaszczuk, played down leadership ambitions.

“I love being the Treasurer of Queensland,” he said.

“We’re absolutely united behind the Premier, because our focus is on the people of this state.”

Water Minister Glenn Butcher said he “absolutely” supported Ms Palaszczuk continuing as leader despite the significant dip in popularity, insisting the Premier’s a “great leader and she’s done it many campaigns before”.

The government’s chief whip Don Brown and Assistant Minister Brittany Lauga blamed the dip in the Premier’s popularity on intense scrutiny in late August about Ms Palaszczuk’s leadership prospects when party colleagues privately expressed fears they would lose the election with her at the helm.

Mr Brown said speculation in the media “doesn’t help” the party’s prospects to garner support among voters, but insisted “we’ve got that out of the way”.

“She has been in this position before and we’ve won,” the government whip said.

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper declared the Premier was “very popular in Townsville”, while Labor’s outspoken Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders insisted it was a “great poll”, despite showing the dip in popularity.

Cameron Dick

Glenn Butcher

Mr Saunders questioned: “With all the media outlets going against the Premier and the government, that’s the best the LNP can do?”

“We’re fighters and the people of Queensland will see the difference.”

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli declined to publicly revel in the prospect of booting Labor out of office, saying both rising support for his popularity and the party were “not the numbers that drive me”.

Katter’s Australia Party Leader Robbie Katter said the poll result was evidence of a “bad government being punished”.

Robbie Katter says the drop in popularity for Annastacia Palaszczuk does not equal and endorsement for the LNP’s David Crisafulli.

“I certainly don’t see any endorsement of the LNP – I see a Labor government that thinks it’s entertaining I guess to go and smash industries right around the regions, and thinking they can just win government by pandering to ideologies here in Brisbane,” he said.

“They think they can just keep poking people in the regions and there’s going to be no consequences.

“If they want to keep doing it they’ll get punished by the people.

“I don’t see any endorsement of the Opposition, I see a bad government being punished by the people.

“And hopefully, they learn some lessons because we’re just interested in getting some decent government out of the place, and something that delivers for the regions in Queensland.”