Qld election: Steven Miles refuses to concede in late-night speech to Labor faithful

A defiant Steven Miles refused to concede defeat or congratulate his opponent in a moment a Labor powerbroker labelled “pathetic”.

Outgoing premier Steven Miles has refused to congratulate his opponent in a late-night speech to party faithful lauding Labor’s “extraordinary” effort in avoiding a predicted landslide defeat.

Mr Miles said he had no regrets about the hard fought campaign or his time as Premier and hinted at plans to remain as Labor leader, saying “whatever the final number of seats, I will keep doing what matters for Queensland”.

He did not concede the election outright but said Labor would not be able to form a majority government.

Mr Miles was joined on stage at a raucous party at the Murrumba Downs Tavern by wife Kim and children Sam, Aiden and Bridie about 10pm.

The premier rattled off a laundry list of criticisms of the LNP and refused to congratulate his opponent.

Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson described Mr Miles’ speech as “ungracious” and “pathetic”.

The room erupted when Mr Miles said his efforts meant the LNP was unlikely to form a majority government.

Steven Miles and his wife Kim at Labor headquarters last night.

“Being Queensland’s premier for the last 10 months has been the greatest honour of my life for the kid from Petri it’s more than I could have ever dreamed of,” he said.

“Watching the results tonight, it is clear that that hasn’t been enough to secure a majority of seats for Labor, and also that the LNP is unlikely to have a majority.

“I we will know more as counting continues in coming days, many seats remain too close to call.”

Mr Miles extended his sympathies to the handful of MPs who had lost their seats.

“They have been hard working local MPs, and I will miss them in Parliament,” he said.

Mr Miles became emotional as he thanked his family, staff, State Secretary Kate Flanders, deputy premier Cameron Dick and the unions.

“I’d like to thank my mum and dad, my sister Kate and my late grandparents, you all led me to win … and thanks to Bridie, for being in my weird lunch videos,” he said.

Steven Miles following his election loss to David Crisafulli and the LNP.

Mr Miles said he had no regrets and was proud to have led his campaign on progressive policies including his 50c fares for public transport, free school lunches and energy rebates for households.

“I have put forward a progressive policy agenda that I am very proud of,” he said.

An audience member screamed back “so are we”.

Mr Miles vowed to keep the LNP accountable, regardless of the final outcome.

“Never before has a party taken to an election with so little detail of their agenda,” he said. “I will never stop fighting for our Labor agenda and I will never stop holding the LNP to account.”

The Labor party faithful cheered “Steven” as he exited off stage.

Former deputy prime minister Wayne Swan said Mr Miles had campaigned better than “any leader seen in my 40 years of campaigning around the nation”.

“He showed bravery, he showed grace, showed poise, he showed humour, in a way that I think really connected with people,” he said.

Steven Miles with wife Kim, daughter Bridie and sons Aidan and Sam.

Mr Swan credited Labor’s campaign success with the cost-of-living measures pioneered by Mr Miles since he became premier 10 months ago.

He said Mr Miles “absolutely” deserved to stay on as Labor leader.

“If you were taking the results literally, you would have been looking at something like a 30 seat loss,” he said.

“There’s no question that that’s not happening now.”

Labor staffers, volunteers and their friends and families hugged and congratulated each other after Mr Miles finished his speech.

Spirits were high among Labor supporters at the Murrumba Downs Tavern despite the result.

The true believers continued to mingle and thank each other for their work on Labor’s campaign which saw the party make a remarkable comeback from a predicted landslide.

State Development Minister Grace Grace was ahead in early counting last night in her seat of McConnel.

Meanwhile backbencher Tom Smith in Bundaberg, who was defending the smallest margin of 0.01 per cent after winning by just 9 votes in 2020, was also on track to retain his seat.

Mark Furner was looking to keep Ferny Grove, while Joe Kelly appeared to be safe in Greenslopes.

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Cameron Dick was poised to keep his Woodridge seat, one of Labor’s safest electorates.

Ministers Di Farmer and Lance McCallum were ahead in Bulimba and Bundama, with Minister Glenn Butcher also likely to retain Gladstone.

Leanne Enoch last night looked likely keep Algester, Chris Whiting Bancroft, Jonty Bush Cooper, Charis Mullen Jordan, with Ms Scanlon ahead in Gaven against popular LNP candidate and former TV journalist Bianca Stone.

Ipswich West was also looking to fall to Labor’s Wendy Bourne following the resignation of Darren Zahnow, who secured the seat for the LNP in the March by-election.

In a neck and neck race, Labor had secured a total 37 seats early on Saturday night, with Mark Bailey also set to secure Miller, and Margie Nightingale on track to retain former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Labor-safe seat of Inala.

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Originally published as Qld election: Steven Miles refuses to concede in late-night speech to Labor faithful