Queensland by-elections loom as Labor MP eyes council tilt, LNP MP quits
Annastacia Palaszczuk has urged a renegade backbencher to make a swift decision on whether she will run for the Ipswich mayoralty.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has urged renegade Labor backbencher Jo-Ann Miller to make a swift decision on whether she will leave state politics to run for the Ipswich mayoralty, potentially triggering a second by-election.
Voters in the Gold Coast seat of Currumbin will go to the polls at a by-election to replace veteran LNP MP Jann Stuckey, after Ms Stuckey revealed on Wednesday night she would resign from parliament on February 1 amid a battle with depression.
The outspoken Labor MP for the Ipswich seat of Bundamba, Ms Miller, is reportedly considering a tilt at the Ipswich mayoralty when Queensland councils go to the polls on March 28, but she is not commenting.
Ms Palaszczuk has a two-seat majority in Queensland’s unicameral parliament, and faces a state election on October 31 for her chance at winning a third term in power.
The Premier this morning said Ms Miller had not spoken to her about her plans, describing the rumoured mayoral tilt as “media speculation”.
“That’s a matter for her,” Ms Palaszczuk said. “She’s a member of our team but I do think for the benefit of her local electorate and Ipswich, she should make a decision soon.
“I’d like her to remain but if she chooses to go, that’s her decision.”
Bundamba has been held by Labor since it was reformed in 1992, and Ms Miller is the longest-serving Labor MP in parliament, after being elected in 2000.
Likewise, Currumbin is seen as safe LNP territory. Ms Stuckey has represented the electorate for 16 years. Ms Palaszczuk said she would consider holding the Currumbin by-election on March 28, to coincide with the local government elections to minimise disruption to voters and cost to taxpayers.
In a statement, Ms Stuckey said she had been “swamped” by the “black cloud,” and had been deeply hurt by political abuse.
“It is important to note that no other workplace would put up with the level of bullying, personal attacks and insults that take place in politics. It is getting worse and it needs to change,” she said.
Ms Palaszczuk said she wished Ms Stuckey all the very best, and praised her for coming out and talking about experiencing depression.
“She has always been very decent to me, and I believe I’ve always been decent and respectful to her as well.”
The Premier said the “meanness” of politics needed to stop.
“We’re trying to teach respectful relationships in schools and I think that respectful relationships need to happen in all workplaces, including the Queensland parliament, and perhaps the meanness needs to stop, and a bit of dignity and respect for everyone needs to take place,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“I try to set that standard every day.”
LNP president Dave Hutchinson said the party would expedite the preselection process for Currumbin, and wished Ms Stuckey the best for her recovery.
“Jann has always spoken her mind, stood up for her community and done what she believed to be right,” Mr Hutchinson said.
Ms Stuckey was both praised and criticised for her decision to exercise her conscience and vote against party policy in 2018 to support Labor’s termination of pregnancy bill.
Kaylee Campradt has been preselected to run for Labor in Currumbin.
Queensland parliament resumes on February 4.
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