Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has sensationally announced she is stepping down from the state’s top job.
At an emotional media conference on Sunday morning, Ms Palaszczuk confirmed she would retire from politics at the end of the week.
After eight years as Premier, Ms Palaszczuk said the ‘time was right’ to hand over the reins.
“When I led this party from an opposition of just seven members, I said that first election would be like climbing Mt Everest.
“I went on to climb that mountain twice more. I don’t need to do it again.
“It’s time for me to go and do something else.”
The Premier’s announcement comes after weeks of speculation about her future amid growing calls for her to stand aside.
Labor’s standing in the polls has been on the slide amid ongoing community anger about issues in health and youth crime.
But Ms Palaszczuk insists Queensland is in good shape.
The Premier has revealed she began thinking about her future during a recent European holiday with her partner and made up her mind after Wednesday’s national cabinet meeting.
She has endorsed Deputy Premier Steven Miles to take over the top job with Labor MPs expected to decide their new leader on Friday.
More to come.
