Steven Miles to make climate action a priority as Qld premier

Incoming premier Steven Miles will take bolder action on climate change, a shared policy position with the union powerbroker who backed him.

• ‘Just Steven and me’: Treasurer sets record straight

Incoming Premier Steven Miles has privately pledged to take “bolder” action on the environment when he takes the state’s top job on Friday.

Mr Miles has not revealed the extent of the changes but, as a Left-aligned Labor MP, he is known to have a big interest in climate action.

Action on climate change is also a priority of United Workers’ Union boss Gary Bullock, with the union previously declaring a lack of action was creating risks to health and safety in the workplace.

Labor MPs are split about how the UWU and Australian Workers’ Union – which were instrumental in making Mr Miles Premier and Cameron Dick his deputy – will flex their muscle.

A Left-aligned MP said Mr Bullock’s status as the state’s most powerful man had been cemented by Monday’s leadership deal and described the union powerbroker and Mr Miles as “two peas in a pod”.

They argued the power could create vulnerability for the government, noting the leadership change had publicly exposed the extraordinary influence of Mr Bullock.

“I saw it seep in, but I don’t think a lot of people understood how powerful he was … a lot more people have woken to it,” they said.

“The public is more aware of the power he has, but if we lose the election what power has he got?”

Premier-in-waiting Steven Miles on Wednesday. Picture” John Gass

Another Labor Party source noted Mr Bullock “just told the Premier (Annastacia Palaszczuk) to go, and she did”.

“He’s got exactly the same amount of power,” they said.

Other Labor Party insiders have praised Mr Bullock’s advocacy on progressive issues and argue his influence will be positive.

Mr Bullock has advocated for the decriminalisation of sex work, a change the Palaszczuk government and Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath promised to make before the end of the year but did not, sparking a furious backlash from unions.

A Left-aligned MP argued that by being forced to negotiate with the Right-aligned AWU, Mr Bullock’s power had diminished.

They acknowledged Mr Miles and Mr Bullock spoke regularly, but suggested it was a more personal relationship.

“Maybe the relationship is very different to the previous relationship when Gary would only talk to the Premier (Ms Palaszczuk) when there was a problem or he wanted something fixed,” they said.

A war among unions is also thought to be brewing, with a source within the union movement slamming the deal between Mr Bullock and AWU boss Stacey Schinnerl.

They argued the Labor’s base would be worse off as the UWU boss sought to “hold onto power”.

“It’s outrageous two union leaders put in the premier of the state,” they said

“Those two will run the state – Miles will follow whatever Blocker wants, or Stacey wants.”

Speaking on Thursday morning about Friday’s Caucus meeting, Treasurer and incoming Deputy Premier Cameron Dick said the meeting would “endorse the leadership team” and discuss “two vacancies”.

He said he anticipated that Annastacia Palaszczuk would take part in the meeting.

“She is entitled to attend, of course,” he said.

“She is more than welcome by all members of the caucus given her outstanding service to our state and our party.”

Minister Di Farmer, speaking at an announcement of the future of Fee Free TAFE in Queensland, said two “outstanding people” put their hand up for leadership.

In response to what made Steven Miles the better choice, Ms Farmer said Miles had shown he was up for the job.

“Steven Miles has the support to go ahead as the premier and I know he is going to do an excellent job,” she said.

“He has addressed some issues that have been raised with the government over the last few months and he’s taken a new stance.

“He’ll be that person who will be strong and he knows that issues like cost of living, like housing, and youth crime are absolutely critical.”

When asked whether she expected to be included in the new Premier’s cabinet Ms Farmer said it would be a decision for the Premier.

“I would certainly like to be, but that will be a decision for him,” she said.

Ms Farmer went on to say former Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk would be remembered as the person who led Queensland through Covid-19.

“She stood up and ensured Queenslanders felt safe.”

She added the former Premier had “an eye for the future”.

“[Palaszczuk] has led the way to position Queensland as a leader in renewable energy, in the critical minerals sector.

“She has positioned us to really be leaders on some really important global issues.”