Annastacia Palaszczuk, the ‘accidental premier’ who became a Labor legend and trailblazer for women

Annastacia Palaszczuk leaves politics having blazed a path for women in Australia and will be celebrated as a Labor legend who brought the party back from humiliation and defeat.

She has led a government responsible for the decriminalisation of abortion, legalising voluntary assisted dying in Queensland, an overhaul of domestic violence practices and securing the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.

However, integrity issues have plagued the government in recent years and led to questions about the culture and accountability within the public sector.

Ms Palaszczuk became opposition leader after Labor’s heavy election loss in 2012.(ABC TV News – file image)

Ms Palaszczuk was the first woman to become a state premier from opposition and the first Australian female premier to win three terms.

Not bad from the woman dubbed the “accidental premier”.

Ms Palaszczuk’s rise to power was unexpected after Campbell Newman’s landslide victory for the LNP in 2012 decimated Labor.

Queensland premier Campbell Newman and Annastacia Palaszczuk at the leaders’ debate in Brisbane in January, 2015.(ABC News)

The election ended 14 years of ALP rule in Queensland and the party was left with just seven seats in state parliament.

Ms Palaszczuk was elected opposition leader unopposed, the most experienced Labor member in parliament.

The LNP was expected to be in power for years. But it was not to be.

Just three years later, Ms Palaszczuk pulled off a surprise election victory, becoming the state’s 39th premier when she formed a minority government with the support of Independent MP Peter Wellington.

Annastacia Palaszczuk is sworn in as Queensland Premier.(AAP: Dan Peled)

There were no sweeping changes or progressive reforms during her first term in office, rather a promise to stop cuts to the public service after Campbell Newman axed thousands of jobs during his short reign.

The most significant reforms were the introduction of compulsory preferential voting and a move to fixed four-year terms.

In 2017, Ms Palaszczuk won another term in office, securing 48 seats to give Labor a two-seat majority.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was born in Brisbane on 25 July, 1969.(AAP: Glenn Hunt)

Border closures defined an era

In January, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Queensland. Two months later the state went into lockdown and the borders were closed.

Queensland notoriously had some of the strictest COVID-related border restrictions in the country at times during the pandemic.

More than once, they were the subject of heavy criticism — from the community and fellow political leaders alike. From tourism to sport to loved ones desperate to reconnect with family and friends, each time restrictions were implemented or extended, the response was mixed.

She defended the “contentious” border closures time and time again, saying she would “cop whatever gets thrown at me — that’s politics.”

Voters showed their approval of Ms Palaszczuk’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic by voting her in for a third term.(AAP Image: Dan Peled)

The pandemic proved to be a defining feature of Ms Palaszczuk’s second term. She held off her critics and defeated LNP leader Deb Frecklington on October 31, 2020, securing a convincing third term in office.

On election night Ms Palaszczuk acknowledged the challenges faced by Queensland during the pandemic.

“For many Queenslanders, I know it’s been a tough year, it’s been tough not being able to see your family and friends in other states, or even around the world, as we’ve been in the midst of a global pandemic,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk helped secure the 2032 Olympics for Brisbane.(ABC News: Michael Lloyd)

“I know many people out there voted Labor for the very first time.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I will return that respect every single day.”

The pandemic remained a focus for the first half of her third and final term as Queensland opened state borders in late 2021 and more than 1,000 people died after contracting COVID.

Acceleration of change

During her second term, the Palaszczuk government passed laws to legalise abortions and establish safe zones around abortion clinics.

The Queensland Parliament made an official apology to people who were convicted of homosexual offences.

In 2020, legislation to ban gay conversion therapy was also passed.

Annastacia Palaszczuk’s father was a state MP for 22 years.(AAP: Dan Peled)

The Palaszczuk government introduced a ban on single-use plastic bags, brought in a container-deposit scheme as well as tougher land-clearing laws. It also gave final environmental approvals for the controversial Adani coal mine in central Queensland.

Ms Palaszczuk was forced to defend her deputy Jackie Trad over several integrity issues including an investment property she purchased and her involvement in the appointment of a high school principal. Ms Trad was cleared of any wrongdoing but resigned as deputy in 2020.

In 2021, Ms Palaszczuk flew to Japan where Brisbane was awarded hosting rights for the 2032 Olympic Games.

But integrity issues once again dogged the premier and her government in 2022.

Ms Palaszczuk pulled off a surprise election victory in 2015.(ABC News: Scott Kyle)

Ms Palaszczuk was forced to admit cultural issues in the government, announcing a review in February after weeks of misconduct allegations.

The review by Professor Peter Coaldrake painted a scathing picture of problems in the public sector and made 14 recommendations which Ms Palaszczuk committed to implement “lock, stock and barrel”.

Ms Palaszczuk and her government also faced intense pressure over its handling of youth crime after several high-profile deaths and incidents.

Sweeping law changes for young offenders followed in 2021 and 2023, including making breach of bail an offence and allowing watch houses to be used as youth detention centres.

Ms Palaszczuk was forced to admit cultural issues in the government.(ABC News: Kristy Sexton-McGrath)

Politics in the blood

The premier was elected as the Member for Inala in 2006, succeeding her father Henry Palaszczuk who was a state MP for 22 years.

Before entering politics, she worked as an adviser and lawyer and graduated from the University of Queensland.

On the campaign trail in 2015.(ABC News: John Taylor)

Born in Brisbane on 25 July, 1969, Ms Palaszczuk attended Jamboree Heights State School and St Mary’s Catholic College in Ipswich.

She leaves politics after serving eight years as Premier of Queensland, also departing the role of Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games ahead of Brisbane’s hosting duties in 2032.

Annastacia Palaszczuk celebrates after Brisbane was announced as the 2032 Summer Olympics host city.(Getty Images: Toru Hanai)