Queensland election 2024: Steven Miles forgets candidate’s name

Premier Steven Miles forgot the name of his party’s own candidate in Mirani, despite holding two consecutive press conferences in the electorate.

Premier Steven Miles speaks with workers at the Stanwell Power Station near Rockhampton. Picture: Adam Head

Premier Steven Miles forgot the name of his party’s own candidate in Mirani, despite holding two consecutive press conferences in the electorate.

Labor’s candidate for Mirani Susan Teder did not appear next to Mr Miles at the press conference in Mackay on Wednesday or at Stanwell on Thursday.

Both press conferences – held 357km apart – were within the vast electorate of Mirani, currently held by One Nation turned Katter’s Australian Party MP Stephen Andrew.

Premier Steven Miles pictured with Susan Teder (far left) and fellow Labor candidates Bauke Hovinga and Belinda Hassan on Tuesday. Picture: Pics Adam Head

Mr Miles, asked where the Mirani candidate was, said he would “find out”.

Pressed on whether he even knew the candidate’s name, Mr Miles said he didn’t have that detail in front of him.

Deputy Premier Cameron Dick, standing behind Mr Miles, then offered it was “Susan Teder”.

“Susan? Yeah of course, it’s Susan,” Mr Miles said.

Mr Miles, on day one of the election campaign, had been in Mackay launching the regions three candidates — including Ms Teder, whom he met.

Later Mr Miles was asked to confirm if Labor had preselected candidates in all 93 seats.

He said there were “still a few to go”.

“I haven’t memorised them all,” Mr Miles said. “The party will provide that to me.”

Mr Miles, speaking in Stanwell on Thursday, was flanked by Keppel MP Brittany Lauga, Gladstone MP Glenn Butcher, and Rockhampton candidate Craig Marshall.

In Mackay’s industrial area of Paget on Wednesday Mr Miles stood alongside Mackay candidate Belinda Hassan.