‘Will go down in Labor history’ Palaszczuk legacy defined by gutsy win

A former Attorney-General has praised outgoing Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for shepherding the Labor Party from an electoral wipe-out in 2012 to one of the strongest, most unified political operations in Queensland’s history.

A former Toowoomba North Labor MP has paid tribute to Annastacia Palaszczuk after she announced she would step down from her role as Queensland Premier.

Ms Palaszczuk made the announcement on Sunday morning, saying nine years in the top job was long enough.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and it’s the right time, and it’s time for renewal,” she said.

The announcement clears the way for a contest between senior Labor figures to decide who will lead the party to the next election which is scheduled for late 2024.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles, Treasurer Cameron Dick and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman are touted as the front runners.

Toowoomba councillor and former Bligh and Beattie Government Attorney-General Kerry Shine said whoever came out on top would inherit a strong government heading into the election.

“Ms Palaszczuk is one of Queensland’s longest serving Labor premiers, which is not an easy task,” he said.

“She should be commended for her service and for bringing the party back from a team of seven after the 2012 election to winning government in 2015.

“That feat will not be repeated again.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (right) is seen with Labor candidate for Toowoomba North, Kerry Shine on November 22, 2017. Photo: Dan Peled

Mr Shine worked with Ms Palaszczuk when she was the Chief of Staff for Warren Pitt in 2005.

He said that he was immediately struck by her work ethic.

“She was hardworking, serious, she applied herself from the early hours of the morning until late at night, and she was dedicated,” Mr Shine said.

“I was not surprised when ultimately she gained the top job.”

Ms Palaszczuk was elected to succeed her father Henry Palaszczuk in the seat of Inala in 2006.

“I was in parliament with her when she was elected to succeed her father Henry Palaszczuk for the seat of Inala before she rose to be Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Main Roads and Local Government and later serving as Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs Minister, and Transport Minister.

“In those days you could not have predicted she would become the premier because there were huge numbers of talented members ahead of her in the party, but the wipe-out of the Bligh government in 2012 cleared the way,” Mr Shine said.

“To be reduced to seven members was a disaster. The previous record of a minority opposition was a team of 11 in 1974 when Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen won a majority for the Nationals.

“But Ms Palaszczuk kept those seven ministers together, they held the government to account and won in 2015.

“Ms Palaszczuk will go down in Labor history for achieving that outstanding result.”

Closer to home, Mr Shine said Ms Palaszczuk had been good to Darling Downs, pouring money into key infrastructure projects like the Second Range Crossing, the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline and the Quarry Gardens.

“The state had provided about $300 million for the pipeline and about $15 million of that will connect Westbrook, Clifton, Nobby and Greenmount to the town supply,” Mr Shine said.

“That is a big saving to our ratepayers.

“In 2015 her government delivered 20 per cent of the cost of the bypass, and while the Newman Government had agreed to it, it had not gone through parliament.

“Despite it not being a Labor priority, it was put in that first budget.”

More broadly, Mr Shine said Ms Palaszczuk would be remembered for keeping Queenslanders safe during the Covid Pandemic.

“There would be some who did not like her approach and I know some people who are very bitter to her for that reason, but I think the majority of people felt she kept us safe.

“If you look at the economic state of Queensland and Western Australia, where there were similar border restrictions, we came out okay.”

The decision as to who will replace Ms Palaszczuk falls to the Labor caucus, and it is widely tipped to be a three-person race between Deputy Premier Steven Miles, Treasurer Cameron Dick and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman.

Mr Shine said that whoever got the job would inherit a government well-placed for the 2024 election.

“It will probably come down to Mr Miles and Ms Fentiman because Mr Dick is on the right side of the party, and they don’t have numbers these days,” he said.

“Queensland will be in pretty safe hands, whichever way the cookie crumbles.”

Toowoomba MPs Trevor Watts and David Janetzki thanked Ms Palaszczuk for her service, but showed no signs of backing down ahead of what is expected to be a tough election.

“While we disagree on many things politically, my very best wishes to the Premier who has served nine years in the role,” Mr Watts said.

“Public service is always a privilege, and nine years as premier serving the people of Queensland deserves respect.

“We now wait and see how this tired government will shuffle the cards, with an already failed minister expected to fill the void.”

Mr Janetzki was equally focused.

“My very best wishes to the premier who served nine years in a difficult job,” he said.

“Unfortunately the people making the decisions for the past decade remain seated at the table.

“They’ve been focused on the wrong priorities, and sadly that won’t change.”