Steven Miles has been unanimously elected as the Sunshine State’s 40th premier following the sudden resignation now former Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
The announcement follows a Labor’s caucus vote where Mr. Miles was elected unopposed to lead the party.
Mr. Miles was sworn in by Queensland Governor Jeanette Young at Government House after 1 p.m. on Dec. 15.
Cameron Dick, his deputy, was also elected unopposed. The duo have become the Labor Party’s first all-male leadership since 2005.
Speaking outside the caucus meeting just before being sworn in, Mr. Miles said there would be five new ministers under his government.
Nikki Boyd, Bart Mellish, Michael Healy, Lance McCallum, and Charis Mullen will all be given frontbench positions. Their portfolios have not been confirmed.
Ali King, Shane King, James Sullivan, Jennifer Howard, and Corrine McMillan will be made assistant ministers.
“I asked the caucus to provide us with fresh faces, with a new team. I am pleased to say there will be five new ministers in the first Miles government,” Mr. Miles said.
“They are younger, they are energetic, they are ready to deliver a fresh approach for Queenslanders.”
Mark Bailey, Stirling Hinchliffe. and Craig Crawford have lost their ministerial portfolios.
Miles Lifts Queensland’s Emissions Target
Mr. Miles said that Queenslanders now have “a government that is on their side.”“Ultimately, I’m a suburban Queensland dad with three kids, and so many Queenslanders are like me, and I want to demonstrate to them that I understand what concerns them in their day-to-day lives and how government can help them,” he said after the meeting.
The new premier is expected to attempt to address issues on the cost of living, healthcare, housing, education, youth crime, and renewed carbon emission targets.
The state’s current target, which was set back in 2017, is to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, and reach net zero by 2050.
“Today, I can announce we will lift Queensland’s ambition on climate action to strengthen our economy and create jobs. We will reduce Queensland’s emissions by 75 percent by 2035,” he said at his first press conference as premier.
“We will create certainty for industry and for jobs by legislating this target.
“We are making a very clear statement to the world that Queensland is the place to do business if you’re looking to use clean energy to create prosperity.”
In addition, Mr. Miles has already confirmed an independent authority will be established to review 2032 Brisbane Olympic infrastructure plans.
Mr. Miles and Mr. Dick formed their leadership team on Dec. 11—one day after Ms. Palaszcuk announced her resignation.
Mr. Dick described it as a “great honour” to be elected deputy premier by the Labor caucus.
“We have a great opportunity to build on the legacy of Annastacia Palaszczuk and the very great work that she did serving the people of Queensland,” Mr. Dick said.
“As deputy premier I will work every day with our new premier to deliver on our commitments to the people of Queensland and to protect Queenslanders from the threats posed by David Crisafulli and the LNP.”
The new Miles government will develop a new consultative body called the “Queensland Leaders’ Forum” that is set to bring industry, business, the community, and unions together. This will be similar to the body that was formed during the pandemic.
“What I’ve always done in all of my portfolios is listen to everybody,” he said.
“When I was the environment minister, I didn’t just listen to the environment groups; I spent time with the cane growers. In fact, my first meeting as environment minister was with the cane growers.
Australia’s Longest Serving Premier to Leave at End of Year
Ms. Palaszczuk was Australia’s longest-serving sitting premier, serving 12 years as party leader.“I have given it my all and I have run a marathon,” Ms. Palaszczuk said.
“I’ve dedicated my whole life to community service; there’s no greater honour.”
She has officially tendered her resignation as Member for Inala, which will take effect at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31.
“It has been a great honour to serve the Inala electorate community since 9 September 2006 and I take this opportunity (to) wish them and all Queenslanders the very best for the future,” she wrote in the resignation letter.
“Next year would have been nine years and look, a week in politics is a long time but can I tell you nine years feels like an eternity,” she said on Dec. 10.
“I still have the support of the entire party and the Labor movement and I just want to thank them, it’s been a great honour to be the leader of this party.”
Mr. Miles has 316 days in office before the next state election against Opposition Leader David Crisafulli.
