Former Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk joins Smart Energy Council
Annastacia Palaszczuk was premier of Queensland from 2015 to 2023. (ABC News)
Annastacia Palaszczuk won’t say if she will join her successor Steven Miles on the state election campaign trail in October as she takes up her first job since stepping down as Queensland premier.
The Smart Energy Council announced this week that it had appointed Ms Palaszczuk as an international ambassador in a role that will see her lead a delegation to China next month.
In an interview with ABC Radio Brisbane, Ms Palaszczuk said she was “very proud” to take up the new position at the renewable energy industry body, as she also spoke about her life post-politics.
“When you leave politics, you want to pursue interests that you feel strongly about,” she said.
“Having brought down the Queensland energy and jobs plan whilst I was premier, I am very passionate about this industry. It’s something that I think I can add to their line of work.
“The first trade mission is over to China. I’m very familiar with China having led four trade delegations there previously.”
‘I’m very happy doing what I’m doing’
Ms Palaszczuk stepped down as premier and resigned from the Queensland parliament in December, with her then-deputy Mr Miles subsequently elevated to the top job.
Asked if she would make a return to politics, she said: “I’m very happy doing what I’m doing.”
Ms Palaszczuk would not be drawn on whether Queenslanders could expect to see her on the state election campaign trail with Mr Miles in October when voters head to the polls.
“I’m not going to be commenting on state politics. I’m here to talk to you about my role as the ambassador for the Smart Energy Council,” she said.
Ms Palaszczuk said the Smart Energy Council approached her to take up the role, which will be a part-time position, as she also flagged she would be doing “a few other” jobs.
Asked if she would write a memoir, Ms Palaszczuk said: “We will have to wait and see.”
Spending more time with family
Ms Palaszczuk served as Queensland’s 39th premier for almost nine years — and is Australia’s longest serving female head of government.
She said since stepping away from politics, she had been able to spend more time with her family, including her partner Reza Adib.
“I’ve been able to take a bit more care of myself, engaging in sport activities, keeping healthy and I’m very much enjoying my lifestyle,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Queenslanders are still coming up and saying hello, and I’m enjoying the conversations I’m still having with Queenslanders whenever I’m out and about.
“It was a great privilege and a great honour [to be premier] and it’s something that I will absolutely treasure, but now it’s time for me to do other things and Smart Energy Council ticks all the boxes.”
Ms Palaszczuk’s first job as international ambassador at Smart Energy Council will be leading an industry delegation to China in June.
“There is huge opportunities for Queensland investors to actually make more here — not just in Queensland, but right throughout Australia as well,” she said.
“We’ve got the critical minerals we need. We also have the technology and there is no excuse why we can’t be domestically manufacturing all of these things here in Australia.”
During her time as premier, Ms Palaszczuk’s government introduced a renewable energy target of 70 per cent by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035 as part of the state’s energy and jobs plan.
Her government also committed to an emissions reduction target of 30 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030, and net zero by 2050.
Since becoming premier, Mr Miles has retained those emissions reduction targets, but introduced a new target to cut emissions by 75 per cent by 2035.