Queensland election 2017: Cameron Dick could seek Labor leadership
ONE of the chief contenders for Labor leader has refused to rule out challenging Annastacia Palaszczuk if she loses the November 25 election.
QLD Election
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HEALTH Minister Cameron Dick has not ruled out seeking the Labor leadership if Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk loses the November 25 election.
Long regarded as potential leadership material, the veteran minister refused to be drawn yesterday on whether he had leadership ambitions, instead saying he was “working hard every day” for the Government’s re-election.
Asked directly if he wanted the top job, he said: “I’m very happy being the health minister of Queensland.
“It’s been one of the great privileges of my life to work with great staff in the Queensland Ambulance Service and also in public health across Queensland.
“I want to continue to support them for as long as I have the opportunity to, but that’s in the hands of the people and the hands of the Premier, should we be fortunate enough to be re-elected on the 25th of November.”
Attorney-General Y’vette D’Ath was more direct when asked if she had leadership ambitions, replying: “No.”
Mr Dick is the most senior minister after the Premier, Deputy Premier and Treasurer leadership team.
The former lawyer was first elected as Greenslopes MP in 2009 and was made a minister immediately.
He served as the attorney-general, industrial relations minister and then education minister in the Bligh government, and was touted as a possible replacement for her before he lost his seat in the 2012 election bloodbath.
He made his political return during the 2015 poll in the seat of Woodridge.
Recent elections, both Queensland and federal, have seen leaders step down from their positions on losing government in order to refresh the party.
Ms Palaszczuk became leader when former premier Anna Bligh quit her South Brisbane seat in 2015, forcing a by-election.
Describing the election loss as a “heartbreaking day” for Queensland Labor, she said the party could not rebuild with her at the helm, or even part of the team.
Originally published as Queensland election 2017: Cameron Dick could seek Labor leadership
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