Kate Jones: Rumours veteran MP will run for Brisbane mayor after quitting state politics

A former Queensland MP and high-profile Palaszczuk cabinet member is a hot tip to run for Brisbane Mayor in the next council election, just months after sensationally quitting state politics.

A former Queensland MP and high-profile Palaszczuk cabinet member is being tipped to run for Brisbane Mayor in the next council election.

Columnist Peter Gleeson understands veteran Labor MP – and one of the Palaszczuk Government’s best performing Ministers – Kate Jones may run for Mayor of Brisbane in the 2024 local government elections.

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It comes just months after Ms Jones sensationally retired from state politics on September 10, the last sitting day before this year’s election.

Former Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones speaks during Question Time at Parliament House in Brisbane. Photo: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Ms Jones, the then State Development and Tourism Minister, had been hailed as a potential future Premier by former Premier Peter Beattie.

She had served as the member for Ashgrove between 2006 and 2012, and again between 2015-2017 after claiming the seat from Campbell Newman.

She was then elected as the member for Cooper, after the Ashgrove seat was abolished in 2017, until her retirement this year.

Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and Minister for the Commonwealth Games, Kate Jones (left), Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, Cameron Dick (2nd from left), Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (centre) and Star Entertainment Group Chairman, John O'Neill (right) are seen at the Queens Wharf project in Brisbane. (AAP Image/Darren England)

During her time in office, Ms Jones had been the Minister for Environment, Resource Management and Climate Change, Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development, Minister for State Development and the Minister for the Commonwealth Games.

She was last week appointed to the Australian Rugby League Commission and was touted by returning Chairman Peter V’landys as “an impressive individual who has in depth knowledge of the most important aspects of the game”.