‘Sense of distaste’: David Crisafulli says Queenslanders feel ‘uncomfortable’ Palaszczuk quit before they were given chance to pass judgment at state election

Ms Palaszczuk announced her decision to quit politics during a snap press conference on Sunday after spending almost nine years in the state’s top job.

The 54-year-old told reporters she had “given everything to the job” in a teary address.

“I fought the good fight, I’ve given everything, but now is the time for me to find out what else life has to offer,” she said.

Mr Crisafulli said the “overwhelming feedback” from Queenslanders was a “sense of distaste” over how Ms Palaszczuk’s resignation took place and how it occurred before they could make their own judgement at the 2024 election.

“Ultimately it should have been Queenslanders that got a chance to pass judgement, not the three undermining members of the premiers cabinet and not unelected people, powerbrokers within the Labor Party,” Mr Crisafulli told Sky News Australia host Peter Stefanovic on First Edition on Monday morning.

“And I think that is what has left people the most uncomfortable at a time when the government should be focused on all manner of things that are burning through the Queensland economy.

“You’ve heard me talk about the challenges we face at the moment. We’ve got a housing crisis, a health crisis, a youth crime crisis, a cost-of-living crisis, we’ve got a cyclone that is bearing down on the far-north Queensland coast and the government is at war with itself. No one wins when that is the case.”

The Opposition leader tipped his hat to the departing Premier shortly after her resignation, crediting her longevity in the role.

“Regardless of politics, nine years as Premier deserves acknowledgement and respect,” he tweeted on X on Sunday.

“I want to thank @AnnastaciaMP for her service and wish her well in her retirement.”

Deputy Premier of Queensland, Treasurer Cameron Dick and Health minister Shannon Fentiman are now in a three-way tussle to take over as Labor leader.

Mr Crisafulli said it wasn’t his concern when asked who he’d rather go up against in the 2024 election and stressed that he wanted Queenslanders to know the LNP is “listening to them”.

“All three of (the candidates) have been there the whole time, all three of them have held positions like health minister, all three of them have been involved in the youth crime crisis and all three of them have had portfolios touching on planning so in the end it’s the same faces that have sat around the same table,” he said.

“My focus has to be on putting forward alternate solutions. I never had Queensland raise polling with me.

“I tell you what they are worried about though is whether their kids can own a home one day and they are wondering whether or not they are safe in their homes. That is my focus and that is my priority.”