Steven Miles to remain leader of Queensland’s Labor Party after election defeat

Despite Labor’s annihilation in the regions and its lowest primary vote – with the exception of 2012 – since 1908, Steven Miles will have a clear run to retain the leadership.

• Analysis: Miles needs to unleash his inner attack dog

Labor MPs will fall in behind Steven Miles to avoid a lengthy leadership battle between the left and right faction insiders declared would “blow up” the party after its election defeat.

Under Labor Party rules, the position of leader is automatically spilt following an election loss.

Outgoing premier Steven Miles will stand and be endorsed by the Labor caucus to continue as opposition leader after left faction colleague Shannon Fentiman decided not to contest.

The unity in the left faction coupled with the six-person Old Guard backing Mr Miles has left outgoing deputy premier Cameron Dick with limited options.

A challenge by Mr Dick would force three separate ballots consisting of Labor MPs, branch members and affiliated unions.

With the left dominating MPs and unions, any challenge by the right would likely result in defeat.

Mr Miles said he would stand for the leadership once the size of the caucus was clear.

“Over the last 10 months I’ve demonstrated the kind of leader I can be of our party and I think I’m the person best place to maintain the unity that we’ve seen throughout that period,” he said.

“I want to pay our MPs the respect of allowing them to get elected first so once we see precisely the makeup of the caucus I will ask them for their support.”

The right faction figurehead was expected to contend for the Labor leadership in the wake of a defeat at Saturday’s election, but a source close to Mr Dick said he would support Mr Miles remaining leader.

Mr Miles said a challenge from his deputy was “unlikely”.

Steven Miles at Queensland Parliament a day after the State Election, Sunday, October 27, 2024 - Picture: Richard Walker

“We’ve obviously been talking throughout the morning but I won’t speak for him, I’ll let him speak,” he said.

The outgoing premier will remain leader despite Labor’s annihilation in the region and its lowest primary vote – with the exception of 2012 – since 1908.

Mr Miles will have the support of the left and six-person Old Guard faction – which is expected to be about 60 per cent of the caucus.

One Labor MP said the numbers were stacked against the right and Mr Dick.

“We’re not going to have a big blow up now,” they said.

“You saw how well Steven and Cameron worked well together.”

Cameron Dick doesn’t have the numbers to become leader. Photo: Scott Powick

Leader of the kingmaker Old Guard faction, Grace Grace, backed Mr Miles early to stay on as opposition leader.

Ms Grace will remain in the inner circle of Labor’s leadership team after convincingly defeating the Greens to hold her inner city seat of McConnel.

Another left faction MP said Mr Miles deserved the opportunity to stay on for longer than 10 months as leader.

“I always support the leader,” they said.

“If Miles wants it, I’ll back him.”

Originally published as Steven Miles to remain leader of Queensland’s Labor Party after election defeat