Robert Schwarten reacts to Annastacia Palaszczuk resignation

One of Central Queensland’s MPs has hinted at who Queensland could expect to run for Premier after Annastacia Palaszczuk announced her resignation this morning.

One of Central Queensland’s MPs has hinted at who the state could expect to replace Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk after she announced her resignation this morning.

Keppel MP Brittany Lauga, who also confirmed she will be running at the next state election, hinted at who could be Queensland’s next premier when she paid tribute to her “mentor and friend” after the 11am announcement.

Member for Keppel, Brittany Lauga, during question time at Parliament House.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk has been a great leader of Queensland. She has been a mentor and friend to me and I will miss her as premier and colleague in the Queensland Parliament,” she told The Morning Bulletin.

“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.

“Shannon listens, understands and acts.

“She is also the best problem solver in the government.”

When Ms Palaszczuk announced her resignation, she endorsed Deputy Premier Steven Miles.

Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman on December 5, 2023. Picture, John Gass

There was no shock reaction to today’s breaking news about the Queensland Premier from one Labor Party stalwart.

Former Rockhampton MP and Labor Party stalwart Robert Schwarten said he was not surprised by the news that Annastacia Palaszczuk had resigned as premier, and from politics.

“The premier has resigned at a time of her own making,” Mr Schwarten said.

“She has gone with her head held high.

“Very few premiers get to do that.”

Rockhampton current MP Barry O’Rourke said he would like to wish Ms Palaszczuk “all the best for the future and thank her for all she has delivered to CQ”.

He said under her leadership, infrastructure investment in Central Queensland had “soared”.

“The Queensland government now spends 69 per cent more in CQ per capita on new infrastructure than it does in the southeast - and more than 60 per cent more than when the Liberal National Party were in power,” Mr O’Rourke told the Morning Bulletin.

“We’re in the process of delivering a $4bn pipeline of projects, including the just completed Rookwood Weir and the Rocky Ring Road, which is underway.

“In fact, people forget it was Annastacia who got the Ring Road back on track last year after the Federal Government realised the previous government hadn’t properly funded its share of the road.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk personally lobbied (Prime Minister Anthony Albanese) on behalf of Central Queenslanders and reached a deal to make sure the project could get started.

“So thank you Annastacia Palaszczuk, and all the best.”

Emerald MP Lachlan Millar said: “regardless of politics, nine years as Premier deserves acknowledgement and respect”.

“I want to thank Annastacia for her service and wish her well in her retirement,” he added.

It was only 10 days ago that Mr Schwarten told the Courier Mail that Ms Palaszczuk must consider resigning and a “new model” chosen to keep Labor relevant, and give it a fighting chance at the next election.

But while he made these comments, he praised Ms Palaszczuk’s work as premier, saying she broke many records.

“She took Labor from the outhouse to the penthouse in six years,” Mr Schwarten said.

“No one expected her to win.”

He said she deserved to “leave in whatever fashion she sees fit”.

Robert Schwarten Former State Minister and Former State Member for Rockhampton, Panel Discussion: Outlook for regional Queensland, The Courier-Mail Bush Summit, Rockhampton. Picture; Liam Kidston

Ms Palaszczuk, a former Beattie government minister was warned that after almost nine years, tired Queensland voters were turning to the “shiny new” offering from LNP leader David Crisafulli.

Mr Schwarten remains an influential voice in Queensland Labor as a senior member of the Old Guard faction, which is aligned with the caucus’s powerful United Workers Union group – run by the state’s most significant powerbroker, Gary Bullock.

Mr Schwarten urged the party to act quickly to cut down the strengthening standing of Mr Crisafulli.

“The shiny new thing right now is an opposition with no costings, no position on a whole range of social issues, led by a spruiker who would make a show tent raconteur look like an introvert who claims to have the mystery balm that will end surgery waitlists and other challenges on every government service, while building more buildings, paying more wages but costing the voter less,” he said.

“But the good old consumer warning holds true: if something sounds too good to be true, you can bet that it is.”

Federal member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said “this has been a long time coming”, with even a few ALP stalwarts calling for her resignation in recent times.

“I think the public have had enough,” she said.

Ms Landry said it would be interesting to see who takes up the reins, and if that would be “the same old” people.