Miles on tour: Acting Premier Steven Miles blitzes Queensland while Palaszczuk holidays in ‘unofficial campaign’ for top job
A jam-packed two-week blitz as Acting Premier has been dubbed an ‘unofficial leadership’ campaign for the top job by Steven Miles. VOTE IN THE POLL
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Analysis: Actions speak louder than words
A jam-packed two-week blitz as Acting Premier has been dubbed an unofficial campaign for the top job by Steven Miles.
In a string of high-profile opportunities, Mr Miles fronted the media 10 times in 13 days, marking more media appearances in two weeks than Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s entire month of July (seven), and on par with her month of June (12), handing his colleagues a chance to see him flex his muscle.
Mr Miles also met with Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall two days after Ms Palaszczuk departed for Europe, after revelations that Mr McDougall had not managed to secure a face-to-face meeting with the Premier in nearly five years.
Political insiders say Mr Miles’ strategic push to overhaul his “giggles” image and present himself as a true leadership contender has been evident, with one dubbing his “presidential” style of the past two weeks a quasi-campaign for premier.
The Deputy Premier has worked every day since Ms Palaszczuk jetted to Italy on a two-week vacation on August 26, holding at least 10 press conferences and travelling more than 9500km across the country.
Amid a growing dissatisfaction with Ms Palaszczuk’s leadership and an election just over a year away, Mr Miles used his time as Acting Premier to speak at three renewable energy conferences, headed to Perth, and chaired the first state cabinet meeting without Ms Palaszczuk in more than six years.
He also appeared on morning breakfast TV, held a high-level meeting with one of Australia’s richest men, Andrew Forrest, and muscled-up to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over the Qatar Airways flights controversy. Mr Miles also ticked off some political bingo photo opportunities – posing with koalas and emus, meeting kids at an early learning centre, and touring manufacturing facilities.
His non-stop calendar was observed as being a contrast to the perception of Ms Palaszczuk – who has been dubbed by opponents the “part-time premier”.
But during his stint Mr Miles was repeatedly adamant he was not gunning for the top job, on Friday saying: “I’ve sought to do my best in the two weeks as Acting Premier to serve Queenslanders – just as I do every day as the Minister for State Development, Local Government, Planning, Infrastructure and (Minister) Assisting the Premier with Olympics and Paralympics Infrastructure.”
He also said “it’ll be great to see (the Premier) back and great to get back to work”.
“I hope that she’s managed to have a good break, despite all of the attention here and there from the media. We’ve got a very big 12 months ahead of us and I can’t wait to get back to work with her.”
His comments echoed those made earlier in the week, when he said Ms Palaszczuk was Labor’s “best chance of winning. I believe she is the very best person for the job.”
But senior government MPs and Labor sources told The Courier-Mail Mr Miles’ work ethic and handling of a range of issues had impressed, and he had leveraged his time as Acting Premier to position himself as a genuine leadership prospect. “He’s done really well – it’s been a really hard two weeks,” one said.
Another said: “Steven has been impressive. He is a good guy – you won’t find many who would disagree with that. And he’s handled all the (leadership) questions well”.
Asked whether the two weeks had boosted his leadership prospects, one said “without question”. “(The Premier) is still our best chance. But if she decides she’s had enough … he has a shot.”
Others were also supportive – but insisted Ms Palaszczuk was not going anywhere.
“He has done a great job, just as the Premier has been doing a great job,” one MP said. “I feel proud to be part of such a stable team.”
Asked whether Mr Miles would make a good premier, one MP said “I’m not sure he will get the chance”.
But despite Mr Miles’ repeated insistence he is happy playing number two, the leadership rumblings have persisted since Ms Palaszczuk departed Queensland.
Appearing as Acting Premier on the first Monday of the fortnight alongside Health Minister Shannon Fentiman – herself regarded as part of Labor’s next generation of leaders – only further fuelled speculation Ms Palaszczuk’s position could be on the rocks.
The Premier was expected to return to Queensland this weekend, and be back at work Monday ahead of a parliament sitting week.
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