Steven Miles facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Steven Miles MP
Leader of the Opposition in Queensland
Incumbent
Assumed office 28 October 2024
Premier	David Crisafulli
Deputy	Cameron Dick
Preceded by	David Crisafulli
40th Premier of Queensland
In office 15 December 2023 – 28 October 2024
Monarch	Charles III
Governor	Jeannette Young
Deputy	Cameron Dick
Preceded by	Annastacia Palaszczuk
Succeeded by	David Crisafulli
Leader of the Labor Party in Queensland
Incumbent
Assumed office 15 December 2023
Deputy	Cameron Dick
Preceded by	Annastacia Palaszczuk
Deputy Premier of Queensland
In office 11 May 2020 – 15 December 2023
Premier	Annastacia Palaszczuk
Preceded by	Jackie Trad
Succeeded by	Cameron Dick
Deputy Leader of the Labor Party in Queensland
In office 11 May 2020 – 15 December 2023
Leader	Annastacia Palaszczuk
Preceded by	Jackie Trad
Succeeded by	Cameron Dick
Ministerial positions Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning In office 13 November 2020 – 18 December 2023 Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk Himself Preceded by Kate Jones (State Development) Cameron Dick (Infrastructure and Planning) Stirling Hinchliffe (Local Government) Succeeded by Grace Grace (as Minister for State Development and Infrastructure) Meaghan Scanlon (as Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government) Minister for Health and Ambulance Services In office 12 December 2017 – 12 November 2020 Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk Preceded by Cameron Dick Succeeded by Yvette D'Ath Minister for National Parks, The Great Barrier Reef and Environment and Heritage Protection In office 16 February 2015 – 11 December 2017 Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk Preceded by Andrew Powell (Environment and Heritage Protection) Steve Dickson (National Parks) Succeeded by Leeanne Enoch
Parliamentary offices Member of the Legislative Assembly Incumbent Assumed office 25 November 2017 Preceded by Chris Whiting Constituency Murrumba In office 31 January 2015 – 25 November 2017 Preceded by Saxon Rice Succeeded by Seat abolished Constituency Mount Coot-tha
Personal details
Born	(1977-11-15) 15 November 1977 (age 47) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Political party	Labor
Spouse	Kim McDowell
Children	3
Residences	Mango Hill, Queensland, Australia
Alma mater	University of Queensland (PhD)
Signature

Steven John Miles (born 15 November 1977) is an Australian politician. He was the 40th Premier of Queensland, serving for 10 months from 2023 to 2024. He leads the Australian Labor Party (ALP) in Queensland. Before becoming Premier, he was the Deputy Premier from 2020 to 2023.

Steven Miles was born in Brisbane. He earned a PhD from the University of Queensland. Before entering politics, he worked for a union and as a political advisor. He was first elected to the Queensland Parliament in 2015. He represented the seat of Mount Coot-tha and later Murrumba. He became a minister in 2015 and Deputy Premier in 2020. In December 2023, he became Premier after Annastacia Palaszczuk retired.

Miles led his government into the 2024 Queensland state election. He aimed for Labor to win a fourth term in power. However, his party was defeated by the Liberal National Party. After the election, he became the Leader of the Opposition.

Early Life and Education

Steven Miles was born in Brisbane on 15 November 1977. He went to St Paul's Anglican School, Bald Hills. Later, he studied at the University of Queensland. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He also completed a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). His PhD research was about how trade unions in Australia could involve workers more.

Before becoming a politician, Miles worked in public relations. He helped groups share their messages with the community. He also advised Andrew Fraser, who was the state treasurer. Miles also worked for a public sector union called Together.

Political Journey

Steven Miles first ran for parliament in 2010. He was a candidate for the federal election in the area of Ryan, but he was not elected.

Miles in 2017 with Papua New Guinean tourism minister Tobias Kulang

In 2015, Miles was elected to the Queensland Parliament. He won the state seat of Mount Coot-tha. On 16 February 2015, he became a minister. He was in charge of the environment, national parks, and the Great Barrier Reef.

As Environment Minister, Miles started Queensland's first container deposit scheme. This program helps people recycle cans and bottles. It began in 2018.

After changes to electoral boundaries in 2017, his seat of Mount Coot-tha was removed. Miles then ran for the seat of Murrumba. He won this seat in the 2017 state election. After this election, he became the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services. He was the Health Minister during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. In January 2020, he declared a public health emergency. This was the first time an Australian state had done this.

In May 2020, Miles became the Deputy Premier of Queensland. This happened after the previous Deputy Premier, Jackie Trad, resigned. He continued as Health Minister until the 2020 state election. After that election, he became the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government, and Planning.

Becoming Premier of Queensland

In December 2023, Annastacia Palaszczuk resigned as Premier. Steven Miles announced he would try to become the new Premier. He also wanted to lead the Labor Party in Queensland. He had strong support from a major union.

Another politician, Shannon Fentiman, also wanted to be leader. But she later stepped aside. This happened after Miles made a deal with Cameron Dick. Dick would become the Deputy Premier. So, on 15 December 2023, Miles was elected leader without anyone opposing him. He was sworn in as Premier on the same day.

As Premier, Miles focused on several key areas. These included helping with the cost of living, setting stronger climate targets, and reducing youth crime.

Helping with Cost of Living

In 2024, the Miles Government introduced plans to help people with living costs. These plans included:

• Cheaper Public Transport: Fares on public transport became 50 cents across Queensland. This trial started on 5 August 2024. It helped commuters save money and reduced traffic. The trial was very successful, with more people using public transport. Miles promised to make these 50-cent fares permanent if Labor won the next election.
• Electricity Rebates: A $1000 electricity rebate was given to all Queensland homes. This was in addition to a $300 rebate from the federal government.
• Reduced Car Registration: Vehicle registration fees were cut by 20 percent for 12 months.
• Sport Vouchers: Families with children aged 5–17 received $200 vouchers. These helped with the cost of joining sports clubs and activities.

These measures were paid for by a special tax on coal mining. This tax brought in an extra $9.4 billion for Queensland since 2022. The Miles Government also passed laws to protect this coal tax.

In August 2024, Miles also announced plans to lower petrol prices. This included creating 12 state-owned fuel stations. They would also ban fuel stations from raising prices more than once a day. Fuel stations would also need to announce price changes a day in advance.

Protecting the Environment and Climate

Queensland reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent in 2022. This was better than the government's goal of a 30 percent reduction by 2030. In 2024, the Miles Government passed new laws. These laws set stronger targets for reducing emissions: 75 percent by 2035 and net zero by 2050.

The laws also set renewable energy targets for Queensland:

• 50 percent by 2030
• 70 percent by 2032
• 80 percent by 2035

The government also promised to keep energy companies publicly owned. They also set up a $150 million fund. This fund helps energy workers get new jobs or training as the state moves to renewable energy.

In the 2024–25 State Budget, the Miles Government announced a $26 billion investment. This money will go towards renewable power, storage, and transmission projects. Miles also spoke against bringing nuclear energy to Australia.

In 2024, the Miles Government also increased environmental protection. They banned carbon capture and storage in the Great Artesian Basin. They also protected an extra 59,000 hectares of land. This included creating two new national parks. They also expanded 18 existing national parks. Plus, 140 islands in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park were added to Queensland's protected areas.

Housing and Homelessness Plans

In 2024, Miles announced a $3.1 billion plan called 'Homes for Queenslanders'. The goal is to build one million new homes by 2046. This includes 53,000 new social homes. As part of this plan, the government passed new laws to help renters. These laws made it illegal for real estate agents to ask for higher rent bids. They also created a portable bond scheme. This lets renters transfer their bond from one property to another. Miles also announced that all homelessness services in Queensland would get a 20 percent increase in funding.

The Miles Government also removed stamp duty for first-time homebuyers. This applies to properties valued up to $700,000.

2024 State Election

At the 2024 Queensland state election, the Labor party lost. They lost 15 seats. There was a 7% swing in votes towards the Liberal National Party (LNP). Miles accepted the election results on election night. However, he initially did not concede to LNP leader David Crisafulli. He thought the LNP might not win enough seats to form a majority government. The next day, he held a press conference and conceded defeat. The LNP had won enough seats to form a majority.

After the defeat, the Labor Party rules meant there would be a leadership vote. Miles was re-elected as Labor leader without anyone opposing him. This means he is now the Leader of the Opposition. Other senior Labor MPs, Cameron Dick and Shannon Fentiman, chose not to run against him.

Personal Life

Steven Miles is married to Kim McDowell. They have three children together. Miles supports the Brisbane Broncos rugby league team.