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Pyne still part of Labor team: Palaszczuk

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has denied her minority government is about to collapse by assuring Cairns MP Rob Pyne was still on board.

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Source: AAP


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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk insists disgruntled Labor MP Rob Pyne is still part of her team despite quitting the party's left faction.

Her comments come as the minority government were forced to reject suggestions it could collapse after the first-term Member for Cairns announced his factional departure at the weekend.

Mr Pyne has also warned he could leave the party altogether if Labor didn't start allowing him the influence to make reforms he was passionate about.

But Ms Palaszczuk played down any fears on Tuesday, saying she was happy to listen to his concerns.

"Rob Pyne is part of my Labor team," the premier said in Townsville on Tuesday.

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"I think everybody should just calm down when it comes to this particular issue."

Despite the premier's assurances, Mr Pyne has alluded to the fact his decision to quit the left faction could mean he "might not be around much longer".

"If I can't have some significant influence in delivering for the people of Cairns, in particular, I certainly would consider (quitting Labor)," he told News Corp.

"But I'll be doing what I can to make sure that the voice of the parliament is heard and the executive doesn't dominate."

Mr Pyne said the factions appeared to be primarily a mechanism for career advancement, taking particular aim at Deputy Premier Jackie Trad.

He said one of the major factors driving his dissatisfaction was her decision to publicly rebuke him last year after he raised concerns about corruption at the local government level.

Mr Pyne said he intended to stay in the party but wouldn't guarantee the Palaszczuk government would always have his vote.

Labor currently holds 43 seats in the 89-seat parliament and relies on the support of independents Billy Gordon and speaker Peter Wellington to rule.

Health Minister Cameron Dick and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey have echoed the premier's confidence the party will retain his support.

But Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said Queenslanders should be concerned and the downfall of the government was a real possibility.


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