Palaszczuk begins final week as succession battle begins
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The news: Outgoing Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has begun her last week in office, with deputy premier Steven Miles the frontrunner to succeed her.
The numbers: In a shock announcement on Sunday, Palaszczuk said she will resign as Queensland Premier on Friday, and retire as the member for the Brisbane seat of Inala at the end of the year. She has been in state parliament since 2006, taking over from Anna Bligh as Labor leader in 2012 and elected as premier in 2015.
The context: Immediately after Palaszczuk's announcement on Sunday, Miles declared his nomination for premiership. While Miles received Palaszczuk's personal endorsement, he could face competition from Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman or Treasurer Cameron Dick, although both are yet to formally declare if they will run. The Queensland Labor caucus will meet on Friday to endorse their new parliamentary leader, ahead of a state election in October next year.
What they said: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Palaszczuk in a post on X, saying: "She retires as a Labor hero, a three time election winner, Australia's longest-serving female Premier and - above all else - a champion for Queenslanders."
ALP national president Wayne Swan said of Miles on Monday: "He probably is the frontrunner, but it's not for me to nominate who's going to win the caucus ballot."
The source: AAP
