Australia news live: Annastacia Palaszczuk retires ‘as a Labor hero’, Anthony Albanese says

Anthony Albanese calls Palaszczuk ‘a Labor hero’

The prime minister Anthony Albanese has also described retiring Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, as a Labor hero.

He’s posted a long statement on social media. Here’s a section of it:

Annastacia Palaszczuk contacted me this morning to inform me of her decision to resign as Premier of Queensland.

She retires as a Labor hero, a three time election winner, Australia’s longest-serving female Premier and – above all else – a champion for Queenslanders.

From the moment she made history with her extraordinary 2015 election victory, Palaszczuk has served Queensland with fierce pride in her state and a powerful determination to deliver for people.

Annastacia’s leadership brought Queensland Labor back from the political brink and on so many occasions since then her government has put Queensland in a position of national leadership.

Annastacia leaves office rightly proud of all she has achieved and – as ever – thinking of what is best for Queensland and its future. I wish her all the very best for her future.

Updated at 21.31 EST

Key events

Palaszczuk ‘a game changer’, says Penny Wong

The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has described Annastacia Palaszczuk as “a game changer”. Here’s some of her statement:

The first woman to become a state premier from opposition – and the first to win three elections. She did this with dedicated leadership on health, education, housing and the environment. Wishing Annastacia all the best.

Updated at 21.53 EST

As mentioned earlier, Annastacia Palaszczuk’s resignation news came after months of leadership speculation.

In September, Guardian Australia spoke with several Labor MPs who said she should resign. The mood for change within the Labor caucus was clear and growing.

Here’s what one MP told my colleague Ben Smee:

We are going backwards everywhere, and at the point where we need to start talking about sandbagging. The premier was always going to fight to stay on. But I don’t think this is the end of it.

In response to those concerns, Palaszczuk said “my door is always open”. In the next breath, she said “not one person” had come through her door to raise leadership concerns.

You can read Smee’s analysis piece from September for more context to today’s resignation:

Annastacia Palaszczuk has now posted the most emotional section of her speech on social media:

Standing alongside and standing up for the people of Queensland as Labor’s premier has been the honour of my life.

I’ve always drawn my strength from the people of Queensland, working to make our state fairer and more prosperous for the future. I have given it my all. Thank you Queensland.

Queensland opposition leader David Crisafulli pays tribute to Palaszczuk

The leader of the opposition in Queensland, David Crisafulli, is not playing politics today. He’s issued a short statement on social media:

Regardless of politics, nine years as premier deserves acknowledgement and respect. I want to thank Annastacia Palaszczuk for her service and wish her well in her retirement.

Crisafulli will have to wait until next week to see which leader he will face at October’s state election.

Queensland opposition leader David Crisafulli. Photograph: Jono Searle/AAP

Updated at 21.41 EST

Jacinta Allen says Palaszczuk inspired ‘a generation of young girls’

Australia’s newest premier, has paid tribute to the longest-serving female leader in the country.

The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allen, has said Annastacia Palaszczuk “showed a generation of young girls that female leadership is not only possible, but entirely normal”:

She didn’t just make a difference for young girls either. In my first weeks as premier the support I got from Annastacia was incredible, and she was generous with her advice just this week at national cabinet.

To win three successive elections and lead your state for nearly a decade is a remarkable achievement. I wish Annastacia the very best.

Updated at 21.46 EST

Albanese outlines Palaszczuk’s legacy as premier

During her resignation speech, Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was up to others to decide what her political legacy would be.

Well, prime minister Anthony Albanese has sought to highlight a few her government’s policy achievements. Here’s more of the statement he issued a few moments ago:

Under Annastacia, Queensland has set the standard for progress on workers’ rights, rebuilding public hospitals and strengthening public Tafe, helping regional communities seize the opportunities of renewable energy and protecting the precious treasures of Australia’s national environment.

At national cabinet, Annastacia was a Queenslander first, second and third but her experience, her leadership and her ability to find common ground so often helped drive action across the commonwealth.

So much of her legacy, in everything from housing and skills to hospital funding and the NDIS, reflects the strength of her Labor values and her conviction and confidence on the national stage. Just last week, she helped drive new action on a National Firearms Register, to guard against another tragedy like Wieambilla.

When the world turns its eyes to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, so much of what they see in that vibrant and prosperous setting will reflect the vision and ambition of Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Updated at 21.48 EST

Anthony Albanese calls Palaszczuk ‘a Labor hero’

The prime minister Anthony Albanese has also described retiring Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, as a Labor hero.

He’s posted a long statement on social media. Here’s a section of it:

Annastacia Palaszczuk contacted me this morning to inform me of her decision to resign as Premier of Queensland.

She retires as a Labor hero, a three time election winner, Australia’s longest-serving female Premier and – above all else – a champion for Queenslanders.

From the moment she made history with her extraordinary 2015 election victory, Palaszczuk has served Queensland with fierce pride in her state and a powerful determination to deliver for people.

Annastacia’s leadership brought Queensland Labor back from the political brink and on so many occasions since then her government has put Queensland in a position of national leadership.

Annastacia leaves office rightly proud of all she has achieved and – as ever – thinking of what is best for Queensland and its future. I wish her all the very best for her future.

Updated at 21.31 EST

Milton Dick describes Palaszczuk as ‘a record maker’

Here’s another political reaction, this time from the Speaker of the federal parliament’s house of representatives, Milton Dick, who is also a Queenslander:

An amazing Queensland premier. Annastacia Palaszczuk is a record maker and has delivered for our great state and for the Inala community.

I’m proud of all her achievements. To me, she’s a best friend in every way. Looking forward to see her succeed and lead in the next chapter of her life.

Updated at 21.36 EST

Political analyst says polls showed Palaszczuk’s leadership had become unsustainable

Paul Williams, a political scientist with Griffith University, has given his analysis on Annastacia Palaszczuk’s resignation to ABC news.

I think it is prompted by a couple of events. The most recent poll to come out of Queensland shows the Labor vote is actually stabilising, but the leadership approval ratings of Annastacia Palaszczuk personally are still in decline, which suggests to party elders that the problem is with the leader and not the party and that the leader had to go.

I suspect in recent times, possibly even over the last week, that she has received a tap on the shoulder from factional chieftains both inside the party and outside the party, [who] have tapped her on the shoulder to say that your leadership is unsustainable, Labor can’t win under your leadership, it is time to move on.

When questioned about her political support earlier today, Palaszczuk said she still had support from the state party. She said she had given the job everything, but had nothing left to give.

Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks in Brisbane in March 2023. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

Updated at 21.39 EST

Palaszczuk reveals she changed her mind in recent weeks

It was only a couple of months ago that Annastacia Palaszczuk insisted she would lead the Labor party to next year’s state election.

In mid-September, Palaszczuk fronted the media after a two-week Italian holiday, which highlighted discontent among colleagues. She said despite a recent medical scare she had no intentions of resigning.

Here’s what she said at the time:

I feel refreshed, I feel energised and I’m absolutely determined to lead the party and this government to the next election. I just want to make that very clear to everybody.

During her press conference today, Palaszczuk confirmed she did feel refreshed after the holiday, but had changed her mind in recent weeks.

Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks to the media on 11 September 2023. Photograph: Jono Searle/AAP

Updated at 21.20 EST

Wayne Swan describes Palaszczuk as ‘one of the true Queensland Labor greats’

Former federal treasurer, Wayne Swan, has described Annastacia Palaszczuk as “one of the true Queensland Labor greats”.

In 2015 Annastacia promised good, decent government for the people of Queensland. That’s exactly what she’s delivered for the last nine years. Congratulations on your premiership. You are one of the true Qld Labor greats

Updated at 21.09 EST

Annastacia Palaszczuk’s resignation as Queensland premier means ACT chief minister, Andrew Barr, is the last remaining state or territory leader from the peak pandemic period.

NSW’s Gladys Berejiklian, Victoria’s Daniel Andrews, Tasmania’s Peter Gutwein, South Australia’s Steven Marshall, Western Australia’s Mark McGowan and the NT’s Michael Gunner have all already resigned.

Updated at 21.10 EST

Palaszczuk says she is ‘proud to have led a government of women’

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.

Updated at 21.27 EST

Reactions begin to Palaszczuk’s resignation

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.

Updated at 21.19 EST

Palaszczuk says she still has the support of her party and colleagues

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.

Updated at 21.03 EST

‘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.

Updated at 21.10 EST

Palaszczuk says she made her mind up to retire at national cabinet

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 led 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. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Updated at 21.11 EST

‘It is the right time,’ Palaszczuk says of decision to retire

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.

Updated at 21.04 EST

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.

Updated at 20.31 EST