Steven Miles will be elected the new premier of Queensland this week, after his only challenger withdrew from the race on Tuesday morning.
Health minister Shannon Fentiman on Monday pitched herself as the candidate of change.
But on Monday night the right faction, which Annastacia Palaszczuk belongs to, followed the departing premier’s lead and threw its support behind Miles.
In a statement on Facebook, Fentiman said she would no longer stand as a candidate during a caucus meeting on Friday as it was “clear that a majority” of MPs would back Miles.
“I want to congratulate Steven and offer my support in the work ahead,” she said.
“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.”
Fentiman’s candidacy split the majority left faction, to which both she and Miles belong. This meant the support of the right faction became crucial in anointing the next leader.
Miles will be premier, with treasurer Cameron Dick, who is from the right faction, becoming his deputy.
They’ll take on the LNP team of David Crisafulli and Jarrod Bleijie at the October election.
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Miles was elected to parliament in 2015 and served as minister for the environment in the Paluszczuk government’s first term. He was promoted to health minister after winning re-election in 2017.
As the most senior member of the left faction left in parliament, Miles took over as deputy premier after former deputy Jackie Trad lost her seat in 2020.
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