Steven Miles set to become Queensland’s next Premier, Cameron Dick to be Deputy

Steven Miles has been grilled on the role Queensland’s union heavyweights played in the decision that delivered him the Premier’s job after Annastacia Palaszczuk’s resignation.

• Five big calls new Premier must make

Premier-in-waiting Steven Miles has refused to reveal the details of the deal struck by unions to hand him Queensland’s top job.

United Workers’ Union boss Gary Bullock and Australian Workers Union branch secretary Stacey Schinnerl negotiated a deal late Monday to end the leadership battle between Mr Miles and Shannon Fentiman.

Separately, Mr Miles negotiated with Treasurer Cameron Dick – leader of the Right faction – for his support which was critical to defeat Ms Fentiman and become Premier.

Steven Miles leaves his first press conference since a deal with Queensland’s union heavyweights made him the next Premier. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Mr Miles was peppered with questions on Tuesday about what he promised the Right faction in exchange for its support, and what role the unions played in his elevation.

“The arrangement, if you want to call it that, I asked Cameron to serve as my deputy and to remain as the treasurer and that is the agreement we have,” Mr Miles said.

When asked whether the unions played a role, the incoming Premier said they did not.

“No, I asked Cameron to support me,” he said.

“There’s been a lot of discussions between a lot of people over the past few days – this is an agreement between Cameron and I.”

Mr Dick said more positions in the cabinet for his Right faction would be determined once Mr Miles was formally voted Premier on Friday.

Mr Miles used his first press conference since the late-night union-brokered deal delivered him the Premier’s job to announce a car registration freeze in the 2024-25 financial year – a pledge Mr Dick said would save motorists $21.50.

Steven Miles has promised to freeze car registration in the 2024-25 financial year. Picture: Glenn Campbell NCA NewsWire

According to the government the decision will save Queenslanders $70m in the financial year.

A tearful Mr Miles said he would not take the opportunity for granted and thanked his family including his wife, children and his parents for being alongside him through the tumultuous past few days.

Mr Dick will be both the treasurer and deputy premier, in a return to the super position last seen during the Jackie Trad years.

Mr Miles said he would not seek to remove Shannon Fentiman from the health portfolio.

Ms Fentiman, who had said she would contest the leadership, this morning conceded she did not have the numbers.

Ms Fentiman said it was clear the majority of Labor MPs would support her “longstanding friend” Steven Miles to be the next leader.

“As a result, I will not be standing as a candidate for the Labor leadership when Caucus meets on Friday,” she said.

“I want to congratulate Steven and offer my support in the work ahead. Steven is a longstanding friend, and he will have my full support as Premier of Queensland.

“Now is the time for unity, and Labor’s focus must turn to delivering for Queenslanders and retaining government at next year’s election.

“There is so much at stake for our great state, and Queenslanders cannot afford an LNP Government of cuts and chaos. I will continue working tirelessly to ensure the return of a Labor Government for Queensland.”

Sport and Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe appeared to get ahead of his imminent removal from the cabinet by the new Premier.

“As I have already announced my retirement at the next election, I do not expect a position in a renewed Cabinet,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“I believe the new leadership of Steven and Cameron is the best team to serve Queensland and I wish them all the best in putting together a great team including fresh talent.”

Monday night’s leadership negotiations, which extended past 10pm, were understood to be messy but Labor members were desperate to get behind a consensus candidate to end destructive leadership speculation.

The end of the road for Ms Fentiman’s leadership tilt came effectively less than 12 hours after she officially declared her hand.

Queensland’s new Deputy Premier Cameron Dick arrives at 1 William St on Tuesday morning. Picture: David Clark

It’s understood to have become clear after the AWU’s decision that Ms Fentiman won’t have the numbers in caucus to become leader and in a contested ballot would not secure enough union support.

A source in Labor’s Right confirmed the deal was executed late Monday night.

“It’s all over,” they said.

The Labor MP said while Ms Fentiman’s confidence on having “significant support” spooked Mr Miles camp on Monday, it was always a long shot for the Right to make her Premier.

“I just couldn’t see it ever happening,” they said.

The party’s Left faction will hold an “awkward” teleconference meeting this morning — the first time Ms Fentiman and Mr Miles have met together with colleagues.

Mr Miles was unable to secure the premiership through the exclusive support of the Left, despite it being the largest faction in the party and him being the leader.

Instead he was forced to rely on negotiations with Mr Dick and the Right-aligned unions.

That scenario, one backer of Ms Fentiman, said would make a difficult conversation.

“It’ll be awkward, he doesn’t have the numbers on the Left,” they said.

Shannon Fentiman.

Mr Miles now faces the task of resetting the government and undertaking a deep Cabinet reshuffle, with Annastacia Palaszczuk loyalists Yvette D’Ath and Grace Grace thought to be in the firing line along with Transport Minister Mark Bailey and retiring Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe.

Originally published as Steven Miles set to become Queensland’s next Premier, Cameron Dick to be Deputy