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‘I have given everything’: Annastacia Palaszczuk

Annastacia Palaszczuk was emotional towards the end of her resignation speech, describing her time as premier as the honour of her life:

Standing here today in this place, with these flags, and standing up for the people of Queensland has been the honour of my life.

I don’t believe anyone who comes after me will know how humbling it is… to travel this state and meet so many amazing people.

I fought the good fight, I have given everything, but now is the time for me to find out what else life has to offer…

Thank you to every single Queenslander… It has been the greatest honour of my life and our best days are well and ahead of us.

Key events

Annastacia Palaszczuk has also reflected on her time as a premier during the pandemic. Like many other premiers, Palaszczuk fronted daily press conferences to provide updates on the latest case number, restrictions and border closures.

I am also proud to have led a government of women. That values women. That gave women the right to choose.

During the pandemic, I held press conferences nearly every day, alongside the police commissioner and the chief health officer. All women. And I think, during those Covid times, of all the lives that were saved.

The first of many reactions are now coming in after Annastacia Palaszczuk’s resignation as Queensland premier. This is from the Labor senator of Queensland and federal frontbencher, Murray Watt:

Over eight years of strong leadership for Queensland. Three election wins, restoring public services after the savage Newman LNP cuts, guiding Queensland through Covid and setting the state up for a future powered by clean energy jobs. Much to be proud of.

Congratulations to Premier @AnnastaciaMP over 8 years of strong leadership for Qld. 3 election wins, restoring public services after the savage Newman LNP cuts, guiding Qld through COVID and setting the state up for a future powered by clean energy jobs. Much to be proud of.

— Senator Murray Watt (@MurrayWatt) December 10, 2023

Annastacia Palaszczuk has told reporters she believes she still has the support of her party and her colleagues. Her resignation today comes after weeks of speculation about her leadership.

I still have the support of the entire party and the Labor movement and I want to thank them.

I have done nearly nine years as premier, three years before that as leader of the opposition and before that I was transport minister. I have dedicated my whole life into community service. There is no greater honour.

Palaszczuk, who will also finish up as the MP for Inala in early 2024, said she did not have another job lined up.

I have no job. Come January, I will be finishing up as [an MP]. I will be out there promoting Queensland in some form or capacity.

‘I have given everything’: Annastacia Palaszczuk

Annastacia Palaszczuk was emotional towards the end of her resignation speech, describing her time as premier as the honour of her life:

Standing here today in this place, with these flags, and standing up for the people of Queensland has been the honour of my life.

I don’t believe anyone who comes after me will know how humbling it is… to travel this state and meet so many amazing people.

I fought the good fight, I have given everything, but now is the time for me to find out what else life has to offer…

Thank you to every single Queenslander… It has been the greatest honour of my life and our best days are well and ahead of us.

Annastacia Palaszczuk has told reporters she first turned her mind to the idea of retiring while on a holiday with her partner:

Finally, last week, my mind was made up at national cabinet. I was sitting there thinking, this the fourth prime minister, there are all these new faces around the cabinet table, we have a great deal for Queensland- $4 billion – and I thought to myself, ‘renewal is a good thing’.

When I lead this party from an opposition of just seven members, I said that the first election shall be like climbing Mount Everest. I went on to climb that mountain twice more. I don’t need to do it again. I’ve given it my all and I have run a marathon.

National cabinet meeting last Wednesday.
National cabinet meeting last Wednesday. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Annastacia Palaszczuk has just held a press conference announcing her resignation, telling reporters that her mind was made up at a meeting of national cabinet earlier in the week.

I will finish this week as premier and the next premier of Queensland is for the caucus to decide on Friday, giving MPs time to come back and seeing the people of Queensland will have their say.

I’ve been thinking about it for a while and it is the right time.

While Palaszczuk said the new premier was for her colleagues to decide, she’s given an endorsement to her deputy:

I have a great deputy in Steven Miles and I will believe he will make an excellent premier. He is one of the best treasurers I’ve ever seen in the state.

Welcome

Good afternoon and welcome to our rolling coverage of news this Sunday 10 December.

The main headline is the Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszcuk, is to retire from politics. She’ll hold a press conference later today. The announcement follows months of speculation about her future. Here’s what she told Guardian Australia ahead of the announcement:

Queensland is in good shape, which is why now is the time for me to leave.

In other news today, Labor frontbencher Bill Shorten has said it would have been “helpful” if the high court had given its reasons for ruling indefinite detention was unconstitutional at the same time it handed down its decision.

There’s some policy to talk about: The government has announced investors will be slugged with higher fees and steeper penalties for buying existing homes and leaving them empty as the government aims to address housing affordability.

It’s been a big weekend of weather too. Parts of South Australia have received more than two months of rainfall in under 24 hours, as a record-breaking heatwave begins to ease across most of New South Wales.

Stick with us as we bring your reaction to Palaszcuk’s resignation and other news through the afternoon.


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