Annastacia Palaszczuk’s vacation: Queensland Premier hits back with a very brutal message
Queensland Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk has posted a cheeky Facebook post from Italy as she comes under fire for her second European trip in a matter of months.
Ms. Palaszczuk is enjoying a holiday in Naples and the Amalfi Coast, where her partner, surgeon Dr. Reza Adib, is speaking at a medical conference.
After being ambushed by media in Naples, Palaszczuk responded with a scathing Facebook post.
‘I’m on leave. Everyone has the right to leave. I ask that the media respect my privacy. Steven Miles is Acting Prime Minister. I’ll be back on September 11,” she posted on Facebook Wednesday morning.
Critics have labeled Ms Palaszczuk as a part-time prime minister, while insiders have claimed she quit her job and seemed more interested in attending red carpet events and festivals.
Reports in The Courier-Mail over the weekend raised concerns among senior Labor figures about Ms Palaszczuk’s ability to lead the party to re-election.
When asked about the possible destabilization of her leadership in Naples, Palaszczuk declined to comment.
‘No, I’m on vacation. I don’t want to say anything,” she told The Australian.
She added that she wanted to enjoy the break because she had “health issues.”
Dr. Adib added that the presence of photographers outside the hotel was embarrassing because he is “surrounded by thousands of my colleagues.”
Annastacia Palaszczuk (right) is currently in Italy with her partner Dr. Reza Adib (left)
Ms Palaszczuk’s outburst came after it was revealed that she had spent more on holidays this year than in parliament.
The Prime Minister will have accrued 37 days of leave in 2023 when she returns from her last vacation, including a three-week break in January, which was also spent in Europe.
However, she has only been in parliament for 25 days this year, as well as a three-and-a-half hour budget hearing earlier this month.
Ms Palaszczuk’s office has branded the comparison “ridiculous and offensive.”
“The number of days parliament is in session does not reflect the number of days the prime minister is at work,” a spokeswoman told the Courier Mail.
“The Prime Minister works tirelessly every day in the interest of the people of Queensland.”
In recent months Ms. Palaszczuk has attended concerts by Harry Styles, Rod Stewart, Michael Buble and Ed Sheeran, a Moulin Rouge theater show, several NRL and State of Origin games.
She also enjoyed a break in Sydney over the long weekend in June, where she strolled around Circular Quay hand-in-hand with her partner.
Most recently, she was spotted by revelers enjoying Splendor in the Grass in Byron Bay and stood in the stands cheering on the Matildas at several matches in Brisbane during the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup.
An excited Annastacia Palaszczuk took to Facebook Wednesday morning amid growing speculation about her leadership
Annastacia Palaszczuk was pictured at a Harry Styles concert on the Gold Coast earlier this year
The state opposition is leading a growing chorus of renewed calls for Ms Palaszczuk’s resignation.
“Queenslanders believe the Prime Minister has finished and will not accept Labour’s flimsy apologies,” said deputy opposition leader Jarrod Bleijie.
Despite mounting pressure, Palaszczuk is tipped next year to overtake Peter Beattie to become Labour’s longest-serving prime minister since 1942.
She was Queensland’s premier for more than eight years and led Labor to three successive election victories.
Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured right) was recently spotted among the revelers at Splendor in the Grass in Bryon Bay
Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured right cheering on the Matildas during the FIFA Women’s Cup semi-finals) returns to work on September 11