Kate Jones potentially set for Senate bid in Queensland Labor move

Premier Steven Miles and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman have weighed into reports Kate Jones could be set for a Senate bid.

Kate Jones and Shannon Fentiman.

High-profile former minister Kate Jones could be manoeuvred into the Senate under a Queensland Labor Left push to snatch a spot on the ticket.

Queensland Labor holds just five of 30 federal seats and three of 12 senate spots in the state, with its stocks diminishing at the last federal election.

It is understood party operatives are increasingly worried about the need to increase its chances in Queensland, with those within Labor Left now plotting to do this through the Senate.

Sources have confirmed there are moves afoot to snatch the second spot on Labor’s senate ticket from the Right faction and hand it the Left-aligned Old Guard.

This would open up the position to Ms Jones, a former minister turned Australian Rugby League Commissioner and Council of Australia executive director.

Former minister Kate Jones. Picture: Liam Kidston

She is seen as a high-profile campaigner with the ability to boost the party’s chances.

Ms Jones played a key role in securing support among Old Guard factional allies to secure Steven Miles as the party’s leader after then-premier Annastacia Palaszczuk resigned late last year.

At the next federal election, barring a rogue double dissolution manoeuvre, the top spot on Labor’s ticket will go to sitting Left senator Nita Green.

The second spot is normally reserved for the Right faction.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman described Ms Jones as a “very capable” politician, but said it was still early days in the preselection journey for the federal election.

She said Labor hoped to “field a very strong group of candidates” at the federal election.

“I personally want to see lots of capable women putting their hand up, and if Kate Jones is interested, she should absolutely nominate,” she said.

“But I also know we have many capable people wanting to put their hand up to run for Labor at the federal election.”

Mr Miles was coy when asked if Ms Jones, who lobbied for him to become Premier, should get a winnable Senate spot.

“That will be a matter for the party if it were to get to a vote. I only have one vote just like every other branch member but I understand it’s very early days,” he said.

“I like Kate a lot. I respect her a lot.

“She’s a great Queenslander but I’m not going to comment further on this.”

Mr Miles wouldn’t say whether Ms Jones’s candidacy should go to a ballot.

Then-Deputy Premier Steven Miles and Kate Jones in 2023. Picture: Adam Head

“Our party has been incredibly united for a very long time now and I’ve worked very hard to continue that unity,” he said.

“It’s incredibly important as we head into an election.

‘You’ve seen already just how disunited the LNP are.

“You’ve got their headquarters fighting with their branch members.

“You’ve got one set of their lobbyist fighting with another set of their lobbyists.

“Being united is what has served our party incredibly well for decades and I expect everyone to be working hard to see that continue.”

Labor Senator Anthony Chisholm, whose Right faction would likely lose out in the move, declined to comment on Ms Jones.

“I expect a number of candidates will put their names forward for such a great job. We’ve got to let that process happen,” he said.

“I hope that it is a female candidate as I think that would add to our ability to deliver for Queensland and I expect that’s what will happen.”

Ms Jones could not be reached for comment.

Originally published as Kate Jones potentially set for Senate bid in Queensland Labor move