Qld politics: Unanimous Labor part vote makes Steven Miles Qld’s 40th premier
Premier Steven Miles has promised a fresh government with a fresh approach, with the government’s frontbench undergoing its largest shake up in nine years.
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Premier Steven Miles has promised a fresh government with a fresh approach, with the government’s frontbench undergoing its largest shake up in nine years.
Mr Miles is Queensland’s 40th Premier following a swearing in at Government House.
Deputy Premier and Treasurer Cameron Dick was sworn in as minister for state development, local government infrastructure and planning.
Five new ministers will be added to replace the four that have resigned or stood aside.
Mr Miles, emerging after a more than one-hour-long caucus meeting where he stood unopposed and won unanimous support, said he wanted Queenslanders to know they had a “government that’s on their side, that is listening to them”.
He wasted no time positioning himself as a “suburban Queensland dad” who understood the day-to-day concerns of Queenslanders.
Mr Miles is set to make his first speech as Premier at 1 William St later this afternoon, where he is expected to lay on the table the priorities of a government led by him.
He is expected to declare he will listen to all Queenslanders, not just the union bosses.
It comes amid criticism the new Premier was put in the top job by labour movement powerbrokers.
Mr Miles, asked if he would be a “puppet” for United Workers Union boss Gary Bullock, said he counted Mr Bullock as a mentor.
“’I’m proud to be a member of two trade unions. Those trade unions represent tens of thousands of Queenslanders, but what I’ve always done in all of my portfolios is listened to everybody,” he said.
Mr Miles and Deputy Premier Cameron Dick were flanked by senior ministers Shannon Fentiman and Grace Grace, with the rest of the new cabinet and a portion of the caucus behind them.
The renewed Miles government has declared itself the underdog just 10 months out from an election, with Mr Dick warning an LNP government posed a “threat of long-term damage” for Queensland.
The ascension of five new ministers marks the largest shake-up of the frontbench since Labor was elected in 2015.
Those dumped from the frontbench include Craig Crawford, Mark Bailey and Stirling Hinchliffe. Those set to be promoted are Charis Mullen, Bart Mellish, Michael Healy, Lance McCallum and Nikki Boyd.
There will be one extra spot around the cabinet table, bringing the number of ministers to 19.
Discussions will occur over the weekend to determine who will take which portfolios.
Former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has written to Speaker Curtis Pitt to reveal her 17 years as a member of parliament would end on December 31 at 5pm.
“I write to resign as the Member for Inala effective at 5pm, Sunday, 31 December 2023,” she wrote.
“It has been a great honour to serve the Inala electorate community since 9 September 2006 and I take this opportunity (to) wish them and all Queenslanders the very best for the future.”
Ms Palaszczuk did not attend this morning’s caucus meeting, where Mr Miles was greeted by a chorus of claps and cheers.
Mr Miles embraced MPs and shook the hands of Stirling Hinchliffe and Mark Bailey, who wouldn’t feature in his new ministry.
“Congrats, Premier,” Labor MP and caucus chair Chris Whiting said as he welcomed Mr Miles.
His last public words before becoming Premier were: “I don’t have time to hug you all”.
Some government MPs sat ashen-faced knowing they were about to be booted by the incoming leadership team. Others were more buoyant.
Discussion over the make-up of the new Cabinet is under way, with confirmation that Craig Crawford has been booted as expected.
Assistant Ministers Nikki Boyd, Michael Healy and Lance McCallum have all been elevated.
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