Queensland Labor's departure lounge is filling up as Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath announces resignation
Yvette D’Ath resigned this week. (ABC News: Kate McKenna)
Not many premiers would like to see a senior cabinet minister announce they are bowing out at the next election.
Some could see it as a vote of no confidence.
But Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath insists, after 17 years in politics, she wants to “try new things” and spend more time with her adult children.
Few, including those within her own department, seemed surprised by the long-serving politician’s decision not to re-contest her seat at the October election.
Her close ally — former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk — stood down in December last year and was replaced by her deputy Steven Miles.
Eight months out from an election, Labor’s departure lounge is filling up.
On top of Ms Palaszczuk’s resignation, former minister Stirling Hinchliffe and Rockhampton MP Barry O’Rourke have already confirmed they won’t be re-contesting.
Former Ipswich West MP Jim Madden has also quit state parliament to stand as a council candidate.
Not that surprising
While these sorts of announcements can spark questions of “rats fleeing a sinking ship,” it is also not that surprising at this stage in the electoral cycle — particularly when you consider that state governments now have four-year fixed terms.
Ahead of the 2020 election, three frontbenchers — Kate Jones, Anthony Lynham and Coralee O’Rourke — all announced their retirements during the final parliamentary sitting week before the poll.
On the other side of the ledger, several LNP MPs have announced they won’t run again in October: Michael Hart, Lachlan Millar and Mark Robinson.
Ms D’Ath is continuing as attorney-general until the election with Mr Miles’s backing.
One Labor member suggested somebody else should be given a chance to helm the high-profile portfolio, but others say it makes more sense to keep an experienced set of hands so close to an election.
Labor is keenly aware of the challenges it faces in seeking a fourth term.
Mr Miles has been spruiking a message of renewal to voters.
Ms D’Ath’s departure at the upcoming election could help him make that case.