Premier of Queensland | |
---|---|
Department of the Premier and Cabinet | |
Style |
|
Status | Head of Government |
Member of | |
Reports to | Parliament |
Seat | 1 William Street, Brisbane |
Appointer | Governor of Queensland by convention, based on appointee's ability to command confidence in the Legislative Assembly |
Term length | At the Governor's pleasure contingent on the premier's ability to command confidence in the house of Parliament |
Constituting instrument | None (constitutional convention) |
Formation | 10 December 1859 |
First holder | Robert Herbert |
Deputy | Deputy Premier of Queensland |
Salary | AU$469,367 (as of 1 September 2021)[1][a] |
Website | www.thepremier.qld.gov.au |
The premier of Queensland is the head of government in the Australian state of Queensland.
By convention the premier is the leader of the party with a parliamentary majority in the unicameral Legislative Assembly of Queensland. The premier is appointed by the Governor of Queensland.
The incumbent premier of Queensland since the 2015 election is Annastacia Palaszczuk of the Labor Party.
Under section 42 of the Constitution of Queensland the premier and other members of Cabinet are appointed by the Governor and are collectively responsible to Parliament. The text of the Constitution assigns to the premier certain powers, such as the power to assign roles (s. 25) to Assistant Ministers (formerly known as Parliamentary Secretaries), and to appoint Ministers as acting Ministers (s. 45) for a period of 14 days.
In practice, under the conventions of the Westminster System followed in Queensland, the premier's power is derived from two sources: command of a majority in the Legislative Assembly, and the premier's role as chair of Cabinet, determining the appointment and roles of Ministers. Although ministerial appointments are the prerogative of the Governor of Queensland, in normal circumstances the Governor will make these appointments under the "advice" (in reality, direction) of the premier.
Immediately following an election for the Legislative Assembly, the Governor will call on the leader of the party which commands a majority in the Legislative Assembly, and ask them to commission a government. A re-elected government will be resworn, with adjustments to the ministry as determined by the premier.
The premier has an office in the Executive Annexe of Parliament House, Brisbane, which is normally used while Parliament is sitting. At other times the premier's ministerial office is in 1 William Street, which is across the road from the Executive Annexe.
Before the 1890s, there was no developed party system in Queensland. Political affiliation labels before that time indicate a general tendency only. Before the end of the first decade of the twentieth century, political parties were more akin to parliamentary factions, and were fluid, informal and disorganised by modern standards.
No. | Portrait | Name | Election | Term of office | Political party | Constituency | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took office | Left office | Term in office | ||||||
1 | Robert Herbert | 1860 1863 |
10 December 1859 | 1 February 1866 | 6 years, 53 days | Squatter Conservative | Leichhardt | |
2 | Arthur Macalister | — | 1 February 1866 | 20 July 1866 | 169 days | Independent | Town of Ipswich | |
(1) | Robert Herbert | — | 20 July 1866 | 7 August 1866 | 18 days | Squatter Conservative | West Moreton | |
(2) | Arthur Macalister | — | 7 August 1866 | 15 August 1867 | 1 year, 8 days | Independent | Town of Ipswich | |
3 | Robert Mackenzie | 1867 | 15 August 1867 | 25 November 1868 | 1 year, 102 days | Squatter Conservative | Burnett | |
4 | Charles Lilley | 1868 | 25 November 1868 | 2 May 1870 | 1 year, 158 days | Independent | Hamlet of Fortitude Valley | |
5 | Arthur Hunter Palmer | 1870 1871 |
3 May 1870 | 7 January 1874 | 3 years, 249 days | Squatter Conservative | Port Curtis | |
(2) | Arthur Macalister, CMG | 1873 | 8 January 1874 | 5 June 1876 | 2 years, 149 days | Independent | Ipswich | |
6 | George Thorn | — | 5 June 1876 | 8 March 1877 | 276 days | Independent | Ipswich | |
7 | John Douglas, CMG | — | 8 March 1877 | 21 January 1879 | 1 year, 227 days | Independent | Maryborough | |
8 | Sir Thomas McIlwraith, KCMG | 1878 | 21 January 1879 | 13 November 1883 | 4 years, 296 days | Conservative | Mulgrave | |
9 | Sir Samuel Griffith, KCMG, QC | 1883 | 13 November 1883 | 13 June 1888 | 4 years, 213 days | Liberal | North Brisbane | |
(8) | Sir Thomas McIlwraith, KCMG | — | 13 June 1888 | 30 November 1888 | 170 days | Conservative | Brisbane North | |
10 | Boyd Dunlop Morehead | 1888 | 30 November 1888 | 12 August 1890 | 1 year, 255 days | Conservative | Balonne | |
(9) | Sir Samuel Griffith, KCMG, QC | — | 12 August 1890 | 27 March 1893 | 2 years, 227 days | Liberal | North Brisbane | |
(8) | Sir Thomas McIlwraith, KCMG | 1893 | 27 March 1893 | 27 October 1893 | 214 days | Conservative | Brisbane North | |
11 | Sir Hugh Nelson, KCMG | 1896 | 27 October 1893 | 13 April 1898 | 4 years, 168 days | Ministerial | Murilla | |
12 | Thomas Joseph Byrnes | — | 13 April 1898 | 1 October 1898 | 171 days | Ministerial | Warwick | |
13 | James Dickson | 1899 | 1 October 1898 | 1 December 1899 | 1 year, 61 days | Ministerial | Bulimba | |
14 | Anderson Dawson | — | 1 December 1899 | 7 December 1899 | 6 days | Labour | Charters Towers | |
15 | Robert Philp | 1902 | 7 December 1899 | 17 September 1903 | 3 years, 284 days | Ministerial | Townsville | |
16 | Arthur Morgan | 1904 | 17 September 1903 | 19 January 1906 | 2 years, 124 days | Liberal | Warwick | |
17 | William Kidston | 1907 | 19 January 1906 | 19 November 1907 | 1 year, 304 days | Labor | South Brisbane | |
(17) | Kidstonite | |||||||
(15) | Robert Philp | — | 19 November 1907 | 18 February 1908 | 91 days | Conservative | Townsville | |
(17) | William Kidston | 1908 1909 |
18 February 1908 | 7 February 1911 | 2 years, 354 days | Kidston; Liberal | Rockhampton | |
18 | Digby Denham | 1912 | 7 February 1911 | 1 June 1915 | 4 years, 114 days | Liberal | Oxley | |
19 | T. J. Ryan, KC | 1915 1918 |
1 June 1915 | 22 October 1919 | 4 years, 143 days | Labor | Barcoo | |
20 | Ted Theodore | 1920 1923 |
22 October 1919 | 26 February 1925 | 5 years, 127 days | Labor | Chillagoe | |
21 | William Gillies | — | 26 February 1925 | 22 October 1925 | 238 days | Labor | Eacham | |
22 | William McCormack | 1926 | 22 October 1925 | 21 May 1929 | 3 years, 211 days | Labor | Cairns | |
23 | Arthur Edward Moore | 1929 | 21 May 1929 | 17 June 1932 | 3 years, 27 days | CPNP | Aubigny | |
24 | William Forgan Smith | 1932 1935 1938 1941 |
17 June 1932 | 16 September 1942 | 10 years, 91 days | Labor | Mackay | |
25 | Frank Arthur Cooper | 1944 | 16 September 1942 | 7 March 1946 | 3 years, 172 days | Labor | Bremer | |
26 | Ned Hanlon | 1947 1950 |
7 March 1946 | 17 January 1952 | 5 years, 316 days | Labor | Ithaca | |
27 | Vince Gair | 1953 1956 |
17 January 1952 | 12 August 1957 | 5 years, 207 days | Labor | South Brisbane | |
(27) | Queensland Labor | |||||||
28 | Frank Nicklin, MM | 1957 1960 1963 1966 |
12 August 1957 | 17 January 1968 | 10 years, 158 days | Country | Landsborough | |
29 | Jack Pizzey | — | 17 January 1968 | 1 August 1968 | 197 days | Country | Isis | |
30 | Gordon Chalk | — | 1 August 1968 | 8 August 1968 | 7 days | Liberal | Lockyer | |
31 | Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, KCMG (knighted in 1984) |
1969 1972 1974 1977 1980 1983 1986 |
8 August 1968 | 1 December 1987 | 19 years, 115 days | Country/National | Barambah | |
32 | Mike Ahern | — | 1 December 1987 | 25 September 1989 | 1 year, 298 days | National | Landsborough | |
33 | Russell Cooper | — | 25 September 1989 | 7 December 1989 | 84 days | National | Roma | |
34 | Wayne Goss | 1989 1992 1995 |
7 December 1989 | 19 February 1996 | 6 years, 74 days | Labor | Logan | |
35 | Rob Borbidge | — | 19 February 1996 | 20 June 1998 | 2 years, 121 days | National | Surfers Paradise | |
36 | Peter Beattie | 1998 2001 2004 2006 |
20 June 1998 | 13 September 2007 | 9 years, 85 days | Labor | Brisbane Central | |
37 | Anna Bligh | 2009 | 13 September 2007 | 26 March 2012 | 4 years, 195 days | Labor | South Brisbane | |
38 | Campbell Newman | 2012 | 26 March 2012 | 14 February 2015 | 2 years, 325 days | Liberal National | Ashgrove | |
39 | Annastacia Palaszczuk | 2015 2017 2020 |
14 February 2015 | Incumbent | 7 years, 127 days | Labor | Inala |
The median age of a premier on the first day of their first term is roughly 48 years, and 240 days which falls between Russell Cooper and John Douglas. The youngest person to assume the office was Robert Herbert at 28 years and 181 days. The oldest person to assume office was Frank Cooper at 70 years and 62 days.
The oldest living former premier is Russell Cooper, born 4 February 1941 (age 81 years, 137 days). The youngest living former premier is Campbell Newman, born 12 August 1963, (age 58 years, 313 days). The youngest living premier is the incumbent Annastacia Palaszczuk, born 25 July 1969, (age 52 years, 331 days).
The longest-lived premier was Joh Bjelke-Petersen who died on 23 April 2005 at the age of 94 years and 100 days. Arthur Edward Moore was the second longest-lived premier, aged 86 years and 332 days, 7 years and 232 days short of Bjelke-Petersen. Bjelke-Petersen surpassed Moore's lifespan on 11 December 1997. The oldest living premier, Russell Cooper, will tie Moore if he lives to 2 January 2028, and tie Bjelke-Petersen if he lives to 15 May 2035. The shortest-lived Premier was Thomas Joseph Byrnes who died in office at the age of 37 years and 320 days on 27 September 1898.
The premier with the longest retirement is Robert Herbert. He left office on 7 August 1866, and died 38 years and 272 days later on 6 May 1905. The premier with the shortest retirement is James Robert Dickson, who died on 10 January 1901, 1 year and 40 days after leaving office on 1 December 1899.
# | Premier | Born | Took office | Age | Left office | Age | Died | Length of retirement | Lifespan |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Robert Herbert | 12 June 1831 | 10 December 1859 | 28 years, 181 days | 7 August 1866 | 35 years, 56 days | 6 May 1905 | 38 years, 272 days | 73 years, 328 days |
2 | Arthur Macalister | 18 January 1818 | 1 February 1866 | 48 years, 14 days | 5 June 1876 | 58 years, 139 days | 23 March 1883 | 6 years, 291 days | 65 years, 64 days |
3 | Robert Mackenzie | 21 July 1811 | 15 August 1867 | 56 years, 25 days | 25 November 1868 | 57 years, 127 days | 19 September 1873 | 4 years, 298 days | 62 years, 60 days |
4 | Charles Lilley | 27 August 1827 | 25 November 1868 | 41 years, 90 days | 2 May 1870 | 42 years, 248 days | 20 August 1897 | 27 years, 110 days | 69 years, 358 days |
5 | Arthur Hunter Palmer | 28 December 1819 | 3 May 1870 | 50 years, 126 days | 7 January 1874 | 54 years, 10 days | 20 March 1898 | 24 years, 72 days | 78 years, 82 days |
6 | George Thorn | 12 October 1838 | 5 June 1876 | 37 years, 237 days | 8 March 1877 | 38 years, 147 days | 15 January 1905 | 27 years, 313 days | 66 years, 95 days |
7 | John Douglas | 6 March 1828 | 8 March 1877 | 49 years, 2 days | 21 January 1879 | 50 years, 321 days | 23 July 1904 | 25 years, 184 days | 76 years, 139 days |
8 | Thomas McIlwraith | 17 May 1835 | 21 January 1879 | 43 years, 249 days | 20 December 1878 | 58 years, 163 days | 17 July 1900 | 6 years, 263 days | 65 years, 61 days |
9 | Samuel Griffith | 21 June 1845 | 13 November 1883 | 38 years, 145 days | 6 October 1885 | 47 years, 279 days | 9 August 1920 | 27 years, 135 days | 75 years, 49 days |
10 | Boyd Dunlop Morehead | 24 August 1843 | 30 November 1888 | 45 years, 98 days | 2 August 1894 | 46 years, 353 days | 30 October 1905 | 15 years, 79 days | 62 years, 67 days |
11 | Hugh Nelson | 31 December 1833 | 27 October 1893 | 59 years, 300 days | 13 April 1898 | 64 years, 103 days | 1 January 1906 | 7 years, 263 days | 72 years, 1 day |
12 | Thomas Joseph Byrnes | 11 November 1860 | 13 April 1898 | 37 years, 153 days | 27 September 1898[2] | 37 years, 320 days | 27 September 1898 | N/A | 37 years, 320 days |
13 | James Robert Dickson | 30 November 1832 | 1 October 1898 | 65 years, 305 days | 1 December 1899 | 67 years, 1 day | 10 January 1901 | 1 year, 40 days | 68 years, 41 days |
14 | Anderson Dawson | 16 July 1863 | 1 December 1899 | 36 years, 138 days | 7 December 1899 | 36 years, 144 days | 20 July 1910 | 10 years, 225 days | 47 years, 4 days |
15 | Robert Philp | 28 December 1851 | 17 December 1899 | 47 years, 354 days | 18 February 1908 | 56 years, 52 days | 17 July 1922 | 14 years, 149 days | 70 years, 201 days |
16 | Arthur Morgan | 19 September 1856 | 17 September 1903 | 46 years, 363 days | 19 January 1906 | 51 years, 12 days | 20 December 1916 | 10 years, 336 days | 60 years, 92 days |
17 | William Kidston | 17 August 1849 | 19 January 1906 | 56 years, 155 days | 7 February 1911 | 61 years, 174 days | 25 October 1919 | 8 years, 260 days | 70 years, 69 days |
18 | Digby Denham | 25 January 1859 | 7 February 1911 | 52 years, 13 days | 1 June 1915 | 56 years, 127 days | 10 May 1944 | 28 years, 344 days | 85 years, 106 days |
19 | T. J. Ryan | 1 July 1876 | 1 June 1915 | 38 years, 335 days | 12 April 1920 | 43 years, 113 days | 1 August 1921 | 1 year, 283 days | 45 years, 31 days |
20 | Ted Theodore | 29 December 1884 | 22 October 1919 | 34 years, 297 days | 26 February 1925 | 40 years, 59 days | 9 February 1950 | 24 years, 348 days | 65 years, 42 days |
21 | William Gillies | 27 October 1868 | 26 February 1925 | 56 years, 122 days | 22 October 1925 | 56 years, 360 days | 9 February 1928 | 2 years, 110 days | 59 years, 105 days |
22 | William McCormack | 27 April 1879 | 22 October 1925 | 46 years, 178 days | 21 May 1929 | 50 years, 24 days | 21 November 1947 | 18 years, 184 days | 68 years, 208 days |
23 | Arthur Edward Moore | 9 February 1876 | 21 May 1929 | 53 years, 101 days | 17 June 1932 | 56 years, 129 days | 7 January 1963 | 30 years, 204 days | 86 years, 332 days |
24 | William Forgan Smith | 15 April 1887 | 17 June 1932 | 45 years, 63 days | 16 September 1942 | 55 years, 154 days | 25 September 1953 | 11 years, 9 days | 66 years, 163 days |
25 | Frank Cooper | 16 July 1872 | 16 September 1942 | 70 years, 62 days | 7 March 1946 | 73 years, 234 days | 30 November 1949 | 3 years, 268 days | 77 years, 137 days |
26 | Ned Hanlon | 1 October 1887 | 7 March 1946 | 58 years, 157 days | 15 January 1952[2] | 64 years, 106 days | 15 January 1952 | N/A | 64 years, 106 days |
27 | Vince Gair | 25 February 1901 | 17 January 1952 | 50 years, 326 days | 12 August 1957 | 56 years, 168 days | 11 November 1980 | 23 years, 91 days | 79 years, 260 days |
28 | Frank Nicklin | 6 August 1895 | 12 August 1957 | 62 years, 6 days | 17 January 1968 | 72 years, 164 days | 29 January 1978 | 10 years, 12 days | 82 years, 176 days |
29 | Jack Pizzey | 2 February 1911 | 17 January 1968 | 56 years, 349 days | 21 July 1968[2] | 57 years, 151 days | 21 July 1968 | N/A | 57 years, 170 days |
30 | Gordon Chalk | 16 May 1913 | 1 August 1968 | 55 years, 77 days | 8 August 1968 | 55 years, 84 days | 26 April 1991 | 22 years, 268 days | 77 years, 345 days |
31 | Joh Bjelke-Petersen | 13 January 1911 | 13 January 1911 | 57 years, 208 days | 1 December 1987 | 76 years, 322 days | 23 April 2005 | 17 years, 143 days | 94 years, 100 days |
32 | Mike Ahern | 2 June 1942 | 1 December 1987 | 45 years, 182 days | 25 September 1989 | 47 years, 115 days | 32 years, 269 days | 80 years, 19 days | |
33 | Russell Cooper | 4 February 1941 | 25 September 1989 | 48 years, 233 days | 7 December 1989 | 48 years, 306 days | 32 years, 196 days | 81 years, 137 days | |
34 | Wayne Goss | 26 February 1951 | 7 December 1989 | 38 years, 284 days | 19 February 1996 | 44 years, 358 days | 10 November 2014 | 18 years, 264 days | 63 years, 257 days |
35 | Rob Borbidge | 12 August 1954 | 19 February 1996 | 41 years, 191 days | 20 June 1998 | 43 years, 312 days | 24 years, 1 day | 67 years, 313 days | |
36 | Peter Beattie | 18 November 1952 | 20 June 1998 | 45 years, 214 days | 13 September 2007 | 54 years, 299 days | 14 years, 281 days | 69 years, 215 days | |
37 | Anna Bligh | 14 July 1960 | 13 September 2007 | 47 years, 61 days | 26 March 2012 | 51 years, 256 days | 10 years, 87 days | 61 years, 342 days | |
38 | Campbell Newman | 12 August 1963 | 26 March 2012 | 48 years, 227 days | 14 February 2015 | 51 years, 186 days | 7 years, 127 days | 58 years, 313 days | |
39 | Annastacia Palaszczuk | 25 July 1969 | 14 February 2015 | 45 years, 204 days | Incumbent | Incumbent | Incumbent | 52 years, 331 days |
As of 21 June 2022, six former premiers are alive, the oldest being Russell Cooper (1989, born 1941). The most recent premier to die was Wayne Goss (1951–2014), on 10 November 2014.
Name | Term as premier | Date of birth |
---|---|---|
Mike Ahern | 1987–1989 | 2 June 1942 |
Russell Cooper | 1989 | 4 February 1941 |
Rob Borbidge | 1996–1998 | 12 August 1954 |
Peter Beattie | 1998–2007 | 18 November 1952 |
Anna Bligh | 2007–2012 | 14 July 1960 |
Campbell Newman | 2012–2015 | 12 August 1963 |
Not all premiers live to become the oldest of their time. Of the 32 deceased premiers, 14 eventually became the oldest of their time, while 18 did not (including all 3 premiers who died in office, and 15 others). Joh Bjelke-Petersen became the oldest living premier when Vince Gair died in 1980 and remained so until his death in 2005, for a record 24 years and 163 days. Hugh Nelson became the oldest living premier after the death of Robert Herbert, but he survived Herbert by only 240 days.
On two occasions the oldest living premier lost this distinction not by his death, but due to the appointment of a premier who was older. Robert Herbert lost this distinction when Arthur Macalister was appointed, but when John Douglas died in 1904 Herbert regained it again until his own death in 1905 for a total period of 6 years and 340 days. Arthur Macalister lost this distinction when Robert Mackenzie was appointed, but regained it again when Mackenzie died in 1875, Consequently, Macalister too was the oldest living premier twice: first from 1866 to 1867 (from first appointment), and a second time from Mackenzie's death in 1873 until his own death in 1883 for a total period of 10 years and 15 days.
Vince Gair was the oldest to acquire this distinction at the age of 76 years, and 338 days. Gordon Chalk, who was aged 77 years, and 345 days when he died, on 26 April 1991 was the oldest premier to die without ever acquiring this distinction. Wayne Goss who was aged 63 years and 257 days when he died on 10 November 2014 is the most recent premier to die without ever acquiring this distinction.
Premier | Period when oldest living premier | Age | Duration | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Start date | End date | at start | at end | ||
Robert Herbert | 10 December 1859 | 1 February 1866 | 28 years, 181 days | 34 years, 234 days | 6 years, 53 days |
Arthur Macalister | 1 February 1866 | 15 August 1867 | 48 years, 14 days | 49 years, 209 days | 1 year, 195 days |
Robert Mackenzie | 15 August 1867 | 19 September 1873 | 56 years, 25 days | 62 years, 60 days | 6 years, 35 days |
Arthur Macalister | 19 September 1873 | 23 March 1883 | 55 years, 244 days | 65 years, 64 days | 9 years, 185 days |
Arthur Hunter Palmer | 23 March 1883 | 20 March 1898 | 63 years, 85 days | 78 years, 82 days | 14 years, 362 days |
John Douglas | 20 March 1898 | 23 July 1904 | 70 years, 14 days | 76 years, 139 days | 6 years, 125 days |
Robert Herbert | 23 July 1904 | 6 May 1905 | 73 years, 41 days | 73 years, 328 days | 287 days |
Hugh Nelson | 6 May 1905 | 1 January 1906 | 71 years, 126 days | 72 years, 1 day | 240 days |
Samuel Griffith | 1 January 1906 | 9 August 1920 | 60 years, 194 days | 75 years, 49 days | 14 years, 221 days |
Robert Philp | 9 August 1920 | 17 July 1922 | 68 years, 225 days | 70 years, 201 days | 1 year, 342 days |
Digby Denham | 17 July 1922 | 10 May 1944 | 63 years, 173 days | 85 years, 106 days | 21 years, 298 days |
Frank Cooper | 10 May 1944 | 30 November 1949 | 71 years, 299 days | 77 years, 137 days | 5 years, 204 days |
Arthur Edward Moore | 30 November 1949 | 7 January 1963 | 73 years, 294 days | 86 years, 332 days | 13 years, 38 days |
Frank Nicklin | 7 January 1963 | 29 January 1978 | 67 years, 154 days | 82 years, 176 days | 15 years, 22 days |
Vince Gair | 29 January 1978 | 11 November 1980 | 76 years, 338 days | 79 years, 260 days | 2 years, 287 days |
Joh Bjelke-Petersen | 11 November 1980 | 23 April 2005 | 69 years, 303 days | 94 years, 100 days | 24 years, 163 days |
Russell Cooper | 23 April 2005 | Current oldest living premier | 64 years, 78 days | Current oldest living premier | 17 years, 59 days |
Premier | Start date | End date | Age at start | Age at end | Duration |