Who should be Queensland’s next Premier? Leadership showdown looms after Annastacia Palaszczuk’s resignation

Steven Miles has confirmed he’ll contest the race for Premier, but despite being endorsed by Annastacia Palaszczuk, he may have a fight on his hands with Shannon Fentiman. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Deputy Premier Steven Miles has declared his hand, confirming he will nominate to be Labor leader and Premier when caucus meets on Friday.

But a leadership showdown to replace outgoing Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk may be underway with Labor insiders saying despite the Premier’s endorsement, Steven Miles is not a certainty with Health Minister Shannon Fentiman also flagged as a possible contender.

Ms Palaszczuk, during her bombshell resignation announcement on Sunday, endorsed Mr Miles, her deputy, for the top job.

In a statement Mr Miles paid tribute to Ms Palaszczuk’s “extraordinary public service”.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk will go down in history as a great reforming Labor Premier,” he said.

Mr Miles, in his first public pitch to be leader, said there was “much left to do” after nine years of government.

He mentioned cost of living, housing, infrastructure for growing communities, the energy and jobs plan and refocusing the health system.

“I commit to my colleagues and to Queenslanders that I will work day and night to realise the enormous potential of our great state and its people,” Mr Miles said.

“I pledge to deliver better government, I am up for the challenges and in it for Queenslanders.

“The Palaszczuk Government has delivered a lot. A Labor government that I lead will build on that legacy and refocus the state on the services Queenslanders rely upon.”

As the leadership race heats up, Assistant Health Minister and Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga threw her support behind Ms Fentiman, who is shaping up as the only significant threat to Mr Miles chances at the top job.

Ms Lauga is a member of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union just like Ms Fentiman. It’s understood the heavy-hitting United Workers’ Union has told its section of caucus to back in Mr Miles.

And multiple senior Labor sources have warned the accession of Mr Miles to the top job is not a “fait accompli”.

A senior Left minister told The Courier-Mail the jostling for leadership was “fluid at this stage” and “the suggestion that Steven (Miles) has got the numbers is simply wrong”.

The source said MPs aligned with the United Workers Union, which is ruled by prominent powerbroker Gary Bullock, are locked in behind Mr Miles ahead of caucus on Friday, but the insider said “beyond that, they’re struggling to get a vote”.

The Left faction has a clear majority in caucus but the view is two competing bids for the leadership could split the vote and boost Treasurer Cameron Dick’s prospects – who will become Right factional leader following Ms Palaszczuk’s resignation.

But even if Mr Dick doesn’t put his hand up, it’s unclear where the Right’s support would lie between the Left figures – with Ms Fentiman viewed by many as the best option for electoral success.

“Not knowing what they’re going to do, but if the Left is fairly split, the Right’s votes might play a role,” the Left-aligned insider said.

“There’s suggestions being put out there that he’s (Mr Miles) got the numbers – (this is) not accurate.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announcing her retirement from politics. Picture: Liam Kidston

The Courier-Mail was told factional allegiances could be sidelined when it comes time to vote on Friday, with strong support emerging for Ms Fentiman.

“The leadership is different to any factional vote,” the senior insider said.

“People have got to make a decision about if they’re going to survive and thrive in government.

“There’s a lot of respect for where Shannon (Fentiman) is at the moment – she’s certainly highly effective in media conferences and in Parliament,” they said.

“There’s a view among a lot of members of caucus that Shannon’s their best option in terms of a fresh start.

“There’s a lot of respect for Steven but not necessarily as leader.”

The source said the clear support from United Workers Union MPs for Mr Miles shows they clearly had a “head’s up” for the shock resignation, which suggests Mr Bullock could have had a role in forcing Ms Palaszczuk out.

Ms Lauga, in an extraordinary statement, said Ms Palaszczuk had been a great leader of Queensland as well as a “mentor and friend”.

“I’ve sent her my best wishes this morning following her resignation. I’ll be supporting our amazing Health Minister Shannon Fentiman because I truly believe she is the best person for the job,” she said.

“Shannon listens, understands and acts. She is also the best problem solver in the government.”

There are 52 MPs in Labor caucus, 18 of whom are aligned to Ms Palaszczuk’s right faction, while nine are in the Old Guard led by Grace Grace.

The rest of the MPs — 25 of them — are aligned to the powerful Left faction. Of those left faction MPs 12 are members of the United Workers Union.

All nine Old Guard MPs are members of the UWU.