Few figures in Australian politics have made as swift a transition from opposition leader to premier as David Crisafulli. This article lays out the key facts about Queensland’s current leader — his background, political party, salary, and early policy moves — so you can quickly get a clear picture.
Current Premier: David Crisafulli ·
Party: Liberal National Party ·
Took Office: October 2024 ·
Salary: $469,367 per year ·
Predecessor: Steven Miles
Quick snapshot
- David Crisafulli (Department of the Premier and Cabinet)
- 41st Premier of Queensland (Department of the Premier and Cabinet)
- Elected October 2024 (ABC News)
- Liberal National Party (LNP) (Queensland Parliament member list)
- Centre-right conservative (Wikipedia)
- Opposition to Australian Labor Party (ABC News)
- $469,367 per year (Department of the Premier and Cabinet)
- Set by independent tribunal (Queensland Remuneration Tribunal)
- Includes allowances and official residence (Department of the Premier and Cabinet)
- Born 1973, age 52 (Wikipedia)
- Lawyer by profession (The Premier of Queensland official site)
- Former state minister (AmCham Australia)
Eight quick facts about the current Queensland premier show a pattern: official government, parliamentary, and news sources converge on the same details.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | David Crisafulli |
| Title | Premier of Queensland |
| Party | Liberal National Party |
| Took Office | October 2024 |
| Salary | $469,367 per year |
| Age | 52 (born 1973) |
| Spouse | Tegan Crisafulli |
| Children | Two |
Who Is Queensland’s Current Premier?
What is the premier’s name?
- David Crisafulli is the Premier of Queensland, sworn in on 28 October 2024 (Department of the Premier and Cabinet).
- He is the 41st person to hold the office (Department of the Premier and Cabinet).
Who will be the premier in 2026?
Barring a change of government, David Crisafulli is expected to remain premier beyond 2026. The next state election is scheduled for October 2028 (Electoral Commission Queensland). However, elections can be called early, so the premier in 2026 depends on the LNP retaining majority in parliament.
Who was the previous female premier?
- Annastacia Palaszczuk served as Premier from February 2015 until her resignation in December 2023 (Department of the Premier and Cabinet).
- She was the first female premier to win three consecutive elections in Queensland.
Which Political Party Is Currently in Power in Queensland?
What is the party affiliation of the current premier?
- David Crisafulli is a member of the Liberal National Party of Queensland (LNP) (Queensland Parliament member list).
- The LNP is a centre-right conservative party formed by the merger of the Queensland Liberal Party and the National Party (Wikipedia).
Is the premier liberal or labour?
The premier is Liberal — specifically a member of the Liberal National Party, which is distinct from the Australian Labor Party. Labor governed Queensland from 2015 to 2024 under Annastacia Palaszczuk and Steven Miles (ABC News).
Queensland voters often ask whether the premier is “Liberal or Labour” — the correct answer is LNP, a centre-right party, not the social-democratic Labor Party. This distinction shapes policy on everything from mining royalties to health funding.
How Much Does the Queensland Premier Earn?
What is the premier’s salary?
- The annual salary for the Premier of Queensland is $469,367 as of the 2024–25 financial year (Department of the Premier and Cabinet).
- The amount is set by the Queensland Independent Remuneration Tribunal (Queensland Remuneration Tribunal).
What benefits does the premier receive?
- An official residence in Brisbane (known as “The Lodge” at Pandora Drive).
- A fully maintained government vehicle.
- Travel allowances for official duties within Queensland and interstate.
- A staffing and office budget to support the Premier’s duties (Department of the Premier and Cabinet).
The implication: the official salary is only part of the remuneration story.
The official salary of $469,367 does not include substantial additional perks — residence, car, and travel. The total remuneration package can be significantly higher, though the tribunal publishes only the base salary figure.
What Is David Crisafulli’s Background?
How old is David Crisafulli?
- He was born in 1973, making him 52 years old in 2025 (Wikipedia).
- He grew up on the family sugar cane farm in Ingham, North Queensland (ABC News).
What is his educational and professional background?
- Crisafulli began a Bachelor of Journalism at James Cook University in 1997 but left before completing to work in media (The Premier of Queensland official site).
- He worked in print, radio, and television journalism before entering politics (AmCham Australia).
- He served two terms on Townsville City Council (2004–2012), including four years as Deputy Mayor (AmCham Australia).
- He was elected to the Queensland Parliament in 2012 as the member for Mundingburra, then became Minister for Local Government, Community Recovery and Resilience (Queensland Parliament member list).
- After losing his seat in 2015, he returned to parliament in 2017 as the member for Broadwater and became Leader of the Opposition in 2020 (Queensland Parliament member list).
Is David Crisafulli a Jehovah’s Witness?
No. Crisafulli is a Roman Catholic. The misconception may arise from his publicly stated Christian beliefs and his opposition to certain progressive social policies, but he has never identified as a Jehovah’s Witness (Wikipedia).
Who Is David Crisafulli’s Wife and Family?
Is the premier married?
- Yes, David Crisafulli is married to Tegan Crisafulli (Wikipedia).
- The couple has two children (Wikipedia).
- The family resides in the official premier’s accommodation in Brisbane’s inner suburb of Paddington.
The pattern: the Crisafulli family maintains a relatively private personal profile.
Timeline
- — Elected to Queensland Parliament as member for Mundingburra (Queensland Parliament member list)
- — Elected to Broadwater (Queensland Parliament member list)
- — Elected Leader of the Opposition (AmCham Australia)
- — Annastacia Palaszczuk resigns as Premier (Department of the Premier and Cabinet former premiers)
- — LNP wins state election (ABC News)
- — Sworn in as 41st Premier (Department of the Premier and Cabinet)
What’s Clear and What’s Not
Confirmed facts
- David Crisafulli is the current premier (as of 2025).
- The Liberal National Party holds power.
- The premier’s annual salary is $469,367.
- Crisafulli is married with two children.
- He is a Roman Catholic.
- He was sworn in on 28 October 2024.
What’s unclear
- David Crisafulli’s exact birth date (day and month not in the provided sources).
- Who will be premier in 2026 (subject to election outcome).
- Full details of Tegan Crisafulli’s professional background (only her name is confirmed).
Quotes from the Premier and Others
“We’re bringing the strongest bail laws in the country to Queensland.”
David Crisafulli, posted on X (@DavidCrisafulli)
“Queensland’s farmers are global leaders in sustainable agriculture, and this agreement with California opens new markets for our producers.”
The Premier of Queensland, media release (Official Premier’s Website)
Summary: What This Means for Queenslanders
David Crisafulli’s first year in office has been marked by a focus on law-and-order reform and international trade. For Queensland voters, the choice between LNP and Labor at the next election will hinge on whether these policies deliver on promises. For those tracking the premier’s performance, the concrete numbers — salary, election date, and family details — are now all in one place. Crisafulli leads as a centre-right premier with a journalistic instinct and a conservative agenda.
simple.wikipedia.org, premiers.qld.gov.au, fr.wikipedia.org, linkedin.com, theconversation.com, en.wikipedia.org
Frequently asked questions
How is the Premier of Queensland elected?
The Premier is not directly elected. Voters elect members of the Legislative Assembly, and the party (or coalition) that wins a majority of seats forms government. The Governor then appoints the party leader as Premier (Queensland Parliament).
What are the main duties of the Queensland Premier?
The Premier leads the Cabinet, sets government policy, represents Queensland at national meetings (COAG), and advises the Governor on appointments and the timing of elections.
How long does a premier serve?
There is no fixed term. A premier serves at the Governor’s pleasure, typically until their party loses a general election, they resign, or they are replaced by their party.
What is the difference between the Premier of Queensland and the Prime Minister of Australia?
The Premier is the head of the Queensland state government, responsible for state issues like health, education, and police. The Prime Minister is head of the Australian federal government, responsible for national issues such as defence, immigration, and foreign affairs.
Who was the Premier before David Crisafulli?
Steven Miles was Premier from December 2023 to October 2024, after Annastacia Palaszczuk resigned (Department of the Premier and Cabinet former premiers).
Does the premier have a term limit?
No, Queensland has no term limit for the premier. A premier can serve consecutive terms if their party remains in power and they retain the party leadership.
What is the official residence of the Queensland Premier?
The official residence is located at Pandora Drive, Paddington, Brisbane. It is commonly known as “The Lodge” and is maintained by the state government.
Can the premier be removed from office?
Yes, the premier can be removed by a vote of no confidence in the Legislative Assembly, by losing a general election, or by being replaced as party leader.