Miles of smiles: Factional deal secures top job for the man dubbed Giggles
A late night deal between union and factional heavyweights has ensured Deputy Premier Steven Miles will ascend to the top job following Annastacia Palaszczuk’s exit as premier on Friday.
Steven Miles has awarded an Queensland Health invention making assisted dying easier for all concerned (AAP Image/Darren England)
The bid by Health Minister Shannon Fentiman to take over as premier lasted less than a day, with the minister conceded on Tuesday that her Left faction colleague had the numbers to become Labor 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.
Miles wasted no time in efforts to get on the good side of Queensland voters, announcing a freeze on car registration bills for a year from July, 2024, a move costing about $70 million.
He also flagged changes to the Cabinet, but confirmed he wanted Fentiman to remain as Health Minister.
The factional deal will also see Treasurer Cameron Dick, of the Right faction, become Deputy Premier. He will keep the treasury portfolio. Party heavyweights were keen to avoid a drawn out leadership stoush given the government’s perilous political position less that a year out from an election.
Miles, whose nervy demeanour at media conferences has earned him the nickname “Giggles”,was endorsed by the outgoing premier in an emotional final press conference on Sunday.
He will address media on Tuesday but briefly spoke to reporters ahead of a Tropical Cyclone Jasper update.
“I love this state and I have been committed to serving this state for a long time,” he said, when asked about becoming premier.
“This has always been about Queenslanders and this morning the focus is on keeping Queenslanders safe (with a cyclone approaching).”
Three-term leader Palaszczuk was the final Covid-19 era state leader in Australia.
She will formally tender her resignation to the Governor on Friday, with the Queensland Labor caucus set to gather and endorse a new leader that day.
Miles said yesterday he hoped to deliver a better and more focused government in the lead-up to the October 2024 state election.
He said a Labor government he would lead will build on the three-term legacy championed by Ms Palaszczuk that refocuses the state “on the services Queenslanders rely upon”.
