Steven Miles is set to become the next Queensland premier after Health Minister Shannon Fentiman conceded on Tuesday morning and will withdraw her bid for the top job.
Current Treasurer Cameron Dick is reportedly set to become the new Deputy Premier.
Miles was facing competition from Fentiman who announced her intention to contest for premier on Monday afternoon.
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“I wouldn’t be putting my hand up if I didn’t believe I was the right person to take us to the election and I didn’t have significant support in the party,” Fentiman told media at the time.
However, after a late-night deal brokered between unions, Fentiman withdrew less than 24 hours after throwing in her bid.
Outgoing premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had previously endorsed Steven Miles as her successor, after announcing her resignation on Sunday.
Fentiman and Miles appeared to be on a collision course for a caucus meeting on Friday to endorse the new parliamentary leader ahead of Queensland’s state election in October 2024.
However, Fentiman this morning withdrew her bid, saying it was clear Miles had the numbers to become the next premier.
“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,” Fentiman posted on Facebook.
“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.”
Miles was considered the front-runner after gaining the support of the biggest group in Labor’s dominant left faction, the United Workers’ Union.
If a single candidate had not emerged before the Friday caucus a contested leadership ballot could have dragged on for weeks.
Under party rules, the vote would have been split between elected MPs, rank-and-file members and affiliated unions.
“Steven is a longstanding friend and he will have my full support as premier of Queensland,” Fentiman said.
“Now is the time for unity and Labor’s focus must turn to delivering for Queenslanders and retaining government at next year’s election.
“I will continue working tirelessly to ensure the return of a Labor government for Queensland.”
