Steven Miles to be Premier

‘Local boy’ Steven Miles is poised to be the next Premier of Queensland, with his only likely opponent Shannon Fentiman pulling out of the contest this morning.

During a press conference today, Mr Miles said he and Cameron Dick shared a vision to build for Queensland’s future and he would be asking Caucus on Friday to elect them Premier and Deputy Premier.

“The ultimate decision rests with Caucus. I’ll have much more to say about my leadership and the government I lead once Caucus has made that decision. I will not take that decision for granted,” he said.

“What I do want Queenslanders to know is that a Government I lead will be absolutely focused on the task of helping Queenslanders every single day in every way we possibly can.”

He followed that statement saying the Government will freeze car registration fees for the next year to help ease the cost of living in an initial move to help Queenslanders deal with the challenges they are presently facing.

Mr Miles thanked his wife, children and parents for their support and guidance - something that enabled him to put his hand up to be Queensland's next Premier.

Earlier today, in a Facebook post, Ms Fentiman said:

“It is clear that a majority of Labor Members of Parliament will support Steven Miles to be the next leader of the Labor Party, and therefore the next Premier of Queensland.

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

“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.”

The race for a new Premier began on Sunday, when Anastacia Palaszczuk announced her shock resignation.

She endorsed Mr Miles who declared he would nominate for the top job.

He faces a tough task ahead, with leading political commentator Paul Williams saying the party has a slim chance of retaining government in the October 2024 State Election. Cameron Dick is expected to be Deputy Premier.

Mr Miles was raised in the Moreton Bay Region, went to Petrie State School and St Paul’s at Bald Hills and lives in Mango Hill.

He has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of Queensland.

His political career began when he tried and failed to win the Federal seat of Ryan in 2010, but soon became a senior policy advisor to the Queensland Treasurer and Deputy Premier on Trade and Economic Development matters.

Ministerial responsibilities

In February 2015 he entered State Government after winning the seat of Mount Coo-tha, which covered Toowong, Bardon, Auchenflower, Milton, Paddington, Red Hill and Petrie Terrace.

He switched to Murrumba - held by Labor colleague Chris Whiting since 2015 - in the 2017 election.

Mr Whiting moved to the new adjacent electorate of Bancroft and became its first state representative, while Mr Miles kept Murrumba in ALP hands when he was returned in 2020.

He was immediately made Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection and Minister for National Parks and the Reef.

Within months he was moved to Health and Ambulance Services and in 2020 became Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Planning and Local Government.

He has also been at the forefront of major projects, such as upgrades to the Bruce Highway and building new roads in the Moreton Bay region.

Initial plans for the Gateway Motorway and highway to Anzac Ave at North Lakes were criticised for service roads which would see new houses resumed.