Beattie last week wrote a column in which he spoke of a premier’s legacy and Queensland’s future,including who would next run the state.
Annastacia Palaszczuk fended off questions about who her successor would be at a press conference on Wednesday.Supplied
By May 2024,Palaszczuk,considered one of state’s most popular Labor premiers,will surpass Beattie’s record as the longest-serving Labor premier since World War II.
Beattie asserted in his column,marking his 70th birthday,that performance and results were more important than time served,adding leaders should “groom a successor and then hand over the baton”.
On Wednesday,at a press conference at a school south-west of Brisbane,Palaszczuk fended off questions about who her successor would be.
“To Peter Beattie,can I say,happy 70th birthday,” Palaszczuk smiled. “When I turn 70,I hope to be spending it with family and friends and I won’t be writing columns.”
When pressed further about her plans to continue to run,and whether Deputy Premier Steven Miles and Treasurer Cameron Dick were potential successors,Palaszczuk remained vague.
“There is a lot of talent in the government,a lot of talent,and they’re working very hard for Queensland,” she said.
However,Palaszczuk said she was “determined to continue doing my job for the people of the state”.
“Everywhere I go,Queenslanders are encouraging me and supporting me in the job I’m doing,” she said.