Shannon Fentiman accused of ‘extraordinary act’ of betrayal over leadership remarks

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has been accused of undermining Premier Steven Miles, after she hinted at her ambitions of having another tilt at becoming Labor leader.

• Fentiman on Labor leaderership

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has been accused by the Opposition of undermining Premier Steven Miles, after she hinted at her ambitions of having another tilt at becoming Labor leader as quickly as after next month’s election.

But Mr Miles dismissed any notion of a betrayal, saying Ms Fentiman hadn’t divulged anything the pair hadn’t previously discussed.

Ms Fentiman, speaking exclusively to the Sunday Mail for its High Steaks column, revealed she had been disappointed with how then-Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had anointed Mr Miles as her successor during the shock December resignation.

While ultimately unsuccessful in her bid to be leader, Ms Fentiman said she was “happy” Mr Miles had garnered support to take on the role.

“He and I have been friends for a long time – he’s the person I’m closest to in the cabinet – and I mean this genuinely, I was happy that it was going to be one of us,” she said.

Ms Fentiman wouldn’t rule out another tilt at the Labor leadership, signalling she was open to working out “what’s next” after the October 26 poll - which the government is slated to lose according to numerous polls.

Premier Steven Miles dismissed Health Minister Shannon Fentiman’s comments, saying there was nothing in them he didn’t already know and it simply showed she has ambitions. Picture: Liam Kidston

Opposition child protection spokeswoman Amanda Camm slammed Ms Fentiman’s comments as an “extraordinary act” designed to undermine Mr Miles.

Ms Camm said the Health Minister had launched her campaign to be the next Labor leader.

“It’s incredible what we’ve seen in the undermining of Steven Miles by Shannon Fentiman. And clearly, what is chaos and crisis when we see a government that are only caring about protecting their own jobs, instead of protecting Queensland kids,” she said.

But Mr Miles waved away the criticism.

“There was nothing in that article that was news to me. Shannon has had ambitions, continues to have ambitions, most people in politics do,” he said.

Mr Miles wouldn’t say if he would stay on as Labor leader should the party be turfed out after the October 26 poll.

“I’m not going to get into what might happen after. I’m just absolutely focused on winning the election in 48 days’ time … because the stakes are really high,” he said.