Qld Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged by Labor insiders to seriously consider leadership over Christmas break

Labor insiders claim that the Premier is under pressure from within to make a decision that could preserve her legacy. Her office says it is “complete rubbish”. HAVE YOUR SAY

Senior figures in the Queensland Labor Party are hoping Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will use the summer break to consider whether to lead the party to the next election or quit early and preserve her nine-year legacy.

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Several Labor sources told The Courier-Mail they hoped Ms Palaszczuk would use December and January to make a final decision on whether to fight for a fourth election victory in October or walk away early in the new year.

Ms Palaszczuk has repeatedly declared publicly she would fight the next election, but there is a firming sense the Premier will struggle to win a majority.

One Queensland Labor source said while the decision was still “hers to make”, they said it could not linger into mid-2024.

Another close to Ms Palaszczuk also said they were hoping for a final decision before parliament returns on February 13.

Ms Palaszczuk in September pledged a reset in an attempt to again control of the political narrative following a spate of criticism over cost blowouts on major projects and jailing children in police watch houses.

Several Labor sources have told The Courier-Mail they hoped Ms Palaszczuk would use December and January to make a final decision on whether or not to fight for a fourth election victory in October. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

One experienced Labor campaigner now fears Ms Palaszczuk has been unable to deliver the reset needed, and say they are attempting to convince her to see the scale of the government’s challenges.

A spokesman for the Premier denied Ms Palaszczuk had been lobbied by party operatives and said reports of discussions about her leadership were “complete rubbish and completely fabricated”.

“The Premier’s focus is on providing cost-of-living relief for Queenslanders and fighting for Queensland’s fair share of infrastructure funding from Canberra,” he said.

Ms Palaszczuk will surpass Peter Beattie on May 6 to become Queensland’s longest-serving Labor Premier – sitting in the top job for 3367 days.

YouGov polling for The Courier-Mail in October revealed Ms Palaszczuk’s personal standing – previously Labor’s most successful asset – had fallen.

She now trails Opposition Leader David Crisafulli as preferred Premier 37-35 per cent.

The same polling also shows Labor and the LNP failing to secure the 47 seats needed to form a majority government.

Ms Palaszczuk has recovered from poor, although not as dire, polling before and holds an internal belief her ability to campaign will deliver another victory.

“I’ve been the underdog on many occasions,” she said in September.

The Premier previously said she would be available through the summer break during Queensland’s season of natural disasters, a decision she used, in part, to justify a two-week holiday to Europe in late August.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk At Cairns Cabinet in May. Picture: Annette Dew

It will also minimise the time Deputy Premier Steven Miles spends as Acting Premier, a role he previously said he enjoys doing and one which fuels questions about whether his performance is an audition to make a permanent step up.

Government and industry stakeholders also continue to question whether Ms Palaszczuk maintains the drive for the top job, with a promised reset of her leadership in September yet to shift polling or appease Labor backbenchers’ concerns.

While Ms Palaszczuk in September pledged to review and “improve” her leadership style, independent sentiment polling has repeatedly shown Queenslanders are growing tired of the state government.

Left-faction leader Mr Miles is understood to be United Workers Union powerbroker Gary Bullock’s chosen successor as Premier, but the performance of rising star Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has some senior Labor MPs questioning whether Labor would have a better chance of winning in October with her.

Steven Miles is understood to be United Workers Union powerbroker Gary Bullock’s chosen successor as Premier. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / John Gass

One Cabinet minister acknowledged Ms Fentiman was a “special” talent.

When asked about the best person to succeed Ms Palaszczuk, respondents to YouGov polling in October put Mr Miles on 10 per cent while Ms Fentiman and Treasurer Cameron Dick each scored 8 per cent.

Mr Dick, who is considered to have the qualities needed for the top job, comes from Labor’s minority right faction and is unlikely to secure enough internal support to become Premier.

Originally published as Qld Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged by Labor insiders to seriously consider leadership over Christmas break