Labor voters back decision to axe Jackie Trad

Queenslanders – including Labor voters – have overwhelmingly backed Jackie Trad’s exit from Cabinet following a tumultuous 12 months for the controversial former deputy premier, exclusive polling results show. But Labor stalwarts are “devastated” by other findings. POLL RESULTS

QUEENSLANDERS have overwhelmingly backed Jackie Trad’s exit from Cabinet following a tumultuous 12 months for the controversial former deputy premier.

A new YouGov poll, conducted exclusively for The Courier-Mail, has revealed more than two out of three voters believe Ms Trad should have resigned following her latest integrity scandal, including most Labor supporters.

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However, last month’s departure of the divisive former Left faction powerbroker is yet to inflate support for the Palaszczuk Government as some powerful Labor figures had hoped, with the poll showing the party’s vote had plummeted to its lowest level in four years.

While Annastacia Palaszczuk’s supporters have been keenly pointing out the Premier’s improved popularity to skittish backbenchers, several Labor stalwarts have questioned whether “the rot had set in”.

“Who goes backwards in a crisis like this?” one said. “It’s devastating.”

Ms Trad initially stepped aside after it was revealed she was being investigated by the Crime and Corruption Commission but then resigned from Cabinet altogether.

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The watchdog is probing allegations that she inappropriately influenced the independent selection process for the principal position at a new school in her electorate.

Education Queensland deputy director general Jeff Hunt has been stood aside pending the investigation, however Ms Trad has strenuously denied any wrongdoing and will recontest her seat of South Brisbane.

The poll of more than 1000 Queenslanders taken last week showed 67 per cent of people approved of Ms Trad’s departure while only eight per cent believed she should have remained in Cabinet.

The remaining one in four were uncommitted.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and former deputy Jackie Trad pictured last year. Picture: AAP/Glenn Hunt

Sentiment against Ms Trad was slightly stronger in Brisbane than across the rest of Queensland, while an overwhelming 81 per cent of LNP voters welcomed her exit.

Jackie Trad pictured last month. Picture: AAP/Dan Peled

The poll showed 63 per cent of Labor voters also backed Ms Trad’s decision to resign, while only seven per cent disapproved.

The CCC’s investigation centres on an extraordinary meeting arranged by Education Queensland between Ms Trad and Tracey Cook, a well-regarded former principal who is now working in the department helping other educators advance their careers.

Ms Cook was not appointed as the inaugural principal of the Inner City South Secondary College after the meeting despite being chosen by an independent panel.

Instead, the position was reclassified, the selection process restarted and another candidate chosen.