Anna Bligh

{{Infobox officeholder

|honorific-prefix = The Honourable

|name = Anna Bligh

|honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100|AC}}

|image = Anna-Bligh-ABA-CEO-Sep-2020-(12)-Black-Approved-Black (cropped).jpg

|caption = Bligh in 2020

|office = 37th Premier of Queensland

|monarch = Elizabeth II

|governor = Quentin Bryce
Penelope Wensley

|term_start = 13 September 2007

|term_end = 26 March 2012

|deputy = Paul Lucas (2007–2011)
Andrew Fraser (2011–2012)

|predecessor = Peter Beattie

|successor = Campbell Newman

|office1 = Minister for Reconstruction of Queensland

|term_start1 = 21 February 2011

|term_end1 = 26 March 2012

|premier1 = Herself

|predecessor1 = New position

|successor1 = Jeff Seeney

|office2 = Leader of the Labor Party in Queensland

|term_start2 = 13 September 2007

|term_end2 = 26 March 2012

|deputy2 = Paul Lucas (2007–2011)
Andrew Fraser (2011–2012)

|predecessor2 = Peter Beattie

|successor2 = Annastacia Palaszczuk

|order3 = 46th

|office3 = Treasurer of Queensland

|term_start3 = 2 February 2006

|term_end3 = 13 September 2007

|premier3 = Peter Beattie

|predecessor3 = Peter Beattie

|successor3 = Andrew Fraser

|office4 = 30th Deputy Premier of Queensland
Deputy Leader of the Labor Party in Queensland

|term_start4 = 28 July 2005

|term_end4 = 13 September 2007

|premier4 = Peter Beattie

|predecessor4 = Terry Mackenroth

|successor4 = Paul Lucas

|office5 = Minister for the Arts of Queensland

|premier5 = Peter Beattie (2004–2007)
Herself (2007–2011)

|term_start5 = 12 February 2004

|term_end5 = 21 February 2011

|predecessor5 = Matt Foley

|successor5 = Rachel Nolan

|office6 = Minister for Education of Queensland

|premier6 = Peter Beattie

|term_start6 = 22 February 2001

|term_end6 = 28 July 2005

|predecessor6 = Dean Wells

|successor6 = Rod Welford

|office7 = Minister for Families, Community Services, Disability Services and Youth of Queensland

|premier7 = Peter Beattie

|term_start7 = 29 June 1998

|term_end7 = 22 February 2001

|predecessor7 = Naomi Wilson

|successor7 =

|constituency_MP8 = South Brisbane

|parliament8 = Queensland

|term_start8 = 15 July 1995

|term_end8 = 30 March 2012

|predecessor8 = Anne Warner

|successor8 = Jackie Trad

|office9 = National President of the Labor Party

|term_start9 = August 2010

|term_end9 = 1 July 2011

|predecessor9 = Michael Williamson

|successor9 = Jenny McAllister

|birth_name = Anna Maria Bligh

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|7|14|df=y}}

|birth_place = Warwick, Queensland, Australia

|death_date =

|death_place =

|party = Labor Party

|spouse = Greg Withers (1986–2015)
Anthony Bertini (m. 2017){{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

|children = 2

|alma_mater = University of Queensland

|signature = Anna Bligh signature.svg

}}

Anna Maria Bligh {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AC}} (born 14 July 1960) is an Australian lobbyist and former politician who served as the 37th Premier of Queensland, in office from 2007 to 2012 as leader of the Queensland Labor Party. She was the first woman to hold either position. In 2017, she was appointed CEO of the Australian Banking Association.

Bligh was born in Warwick, Queensland, and studied at the University of Queensland. Before entering politics she worked for various community organisations. Bligh entered the Queensland Legislative Assembly at the 1995 state election, winning the seat of South Brisbane. She was promoted to the ministry in 1998, under Peter Beattie, and became deputy premier in 2005 and state treasurer in 2006. Bligh succeeded Beattie as premier in 2007 – Queensland's first female premier and Australia's third. She led Labor to victory at the 2009 state election, but at the 2012 election suffered a landslide defeat and announced her retirement from politics. From 2010 to 2011, Bligh was National President of the Australian Labor Party.

Early life

Bligh was born in Warwick, Queensland. She is a descendant of William Bligh, who is famous for the Mutiny on the Bounty and being the 4th Governor of New South Wales.{{cite news| url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/bligh-reveals-familys-dark-secret/story-e6frg6oo-1111115301483 | first=Hedley | last=Thomas | title=Bligh reveals family's dark secret | date=12 January 2008 | work=The Australian}} Bligh grew up on the Gold Coast. Her parents separated when she was 13. She attended Catholic schools until Year 9 and considered becoming a nun. One of her aunts became a nun and another had entered a convent. However, the church's attitude towards divorced people (her mother was no longer permitted to take Communion) reportedly estranged her and her mother from the church.{{cite news|title=out of left field|date=3 June 2006|publisher=QWeekend Magazine|author=Jamie Walker|page=13}}

Studying at the University of Queensland from 1978, Bligh gained a Bachelor of Arts.{{cn|date=April 2025}} Bligh traces her politicisation to her first year at University, observing a right-to-march rally in King George Square where people were being hit over the head by the police.{{cn|date=January 2025}} Bligh's first involvement in activism was student protests against the Vice-Chancellor Brian Wilson's controversial administrative restructuring within the university. She then went on to be involved in the Women's Rights Collective which campaigned for legalised abortion against the anti-abortion policies of the Bjelke-Petersen government. Bligh's next role was as Women's vice-president of the Student Union. She then ran an election ticket called EAT (Education Action Team) in an unsuccessful bid to oust the faction in charge, headed by the future Goss government identity David Barbagallo. Law student Paul Lucas, Bligh's future deputy premier, was a part of Barbagallo's team. Her 1982 team included the former Minister for Education, Training and the Arts Rod Welford. Anne Warner, who was a future Minister in the Goss Government, was an office holder at the time in the Union. Warner soon become one of Bligh's key political mentors.

She subsequently worked in a number of community organisations, including child care services, neighbourhood centres, women's refuges and trade unions as well as in the Queensland Public Service.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Bligh was the secretary of the Labor Party's Fairfield branch in 1987.{{cite news

| first = Murray

| last = Hubbard

| title = Bligh's spirit Anna's bounty – Deputy Premier revealed to be the captain's direct descendant

| publisher = Gold Coast Bulletin

| page = 12

| date = 11 November 2006}}

Parliament

File:First Beattie Ministry.jpg

Bligh was first elected to parliament at the 1995 election to the safe Labor seat of South Brisbane, succeeding Anne Warner. A member of the Socialist Left faction of the Labor Party, she was promoted to the ministry following the election of the Beattie government in 1998 as Minister for Families, Youth and Community Care and Disability Services. In 2001, Bligh became Queensland's first female Education Minister. She assumed additional responsibility for the Arts portfolio in 2004.

=Deputy Premier=

Image:Anna Bligh, Nicholas Rudd, Kevin Rudd and Grace Grace.jpg leader Kevin Rudd, and Grace Grace (state Labor MP for Brisbane Central) at Labour Day 2007]]

In July 2005, the retirement of the Deputy Premier and Treasurer Terry Mackenroth forced a cabinet reshuffle, which saw Bligh promoted to the office of Deputy Premier and Minister for Finance, State Development, Trade and Innovation. Bligh's appointment as Deputy Premier coincided with her election to parliament ten years earlier.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Premier

Bligh had long been touted as a likely successor to the long-running Premier Peter Beattie, and he publicly endorsed her as his replacement when he announced his retirement from politics on 10 September 2007.{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25163722-5014047,00.html |title=Beattie plan up against the odds |last=Parnell |first=Sean |date=10 March 2009 |publisher=theaustralian.news.com.au The Australian |access-date=21 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316020838/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0%2C25197%2C25163722-5014047%2C00.html |archive-date=16 March 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

She was subsequently nominated unopposed by the Labor caucus in a deal that saw Paul Lucas from the Right faction succeed her as Deputy Premier. She became the leader of the Labor Party on 12 September. After Beattie formally resigned on 13 September 2007, Bligh was sworn in by the then Governor Quentin Bryce. Bligh led Labor to victory in the 2009 state election. Bligh lost eight seats from the large majority she'd inherited from Beattie, and also suffered an eight-percent swing on the two-party vote. Nonetheless, due largely to taking 34 out of 40 seats in Brisbane, Labor still won 51 seats out of 89, enough for a comfortable majority. The election marked the Queensland ALP's eighth consecutive election win; the party has been in government for all but two years since 1989.

In winning the election, Bligh became Australia's first popularly elected female premier.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/21/2522633.htm|title=Labor takes Qld election, Bligh makes history|date=21 March 2009|publisher=abc.net.au Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=21 March 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090322023403/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/21/2522633.htm| archive-date= 22 March 2009 | url-status= dead}} The two previous female premiers, Carmen Lawrence (Western Australia 1990–93) and Joan Kirner (Victoria 1990–92), became premiers following the resignation of male premiers (as Bligh did), but both were defeated at the following respective state elections. However, Bligh is not Australia's first popularly elected female head of government. Rosemary Follett and Kate Carnell were both popularly elected as Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory, and Clare Martin was elected as Chief Minister of the Northern Territory.

In 2009, Bligh was elected to the three person presidential team of the Australian Labor Party, to serve until July 2012. She served as National President of the Australian Labor Party for the 2010–11 financial year.[http://www.alp.org.au/australian-labor/member-news/welcome-to-new-alp-national-president/ Australian Labor Party: Welcome to New ALP National President] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111210154433/http://www.alp.org.au/australian-labor/member-news/welcome-to-new-alp-national-president/ |date=10 December 2011 }}

=Queensland floods=

Bligh's leadership came to national attention in 2011 as she led the response and recovery effort to devastating natural disasters – a series of catastrophic floods across 78% of Queensland, including Brisbane – followed by a category 5 cyclone.{{Cite news |date=2011-01-31 |title=Queensland braced for 'deadliest' storm Cyclone Yasi |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-12322154 |access-date=2024-10-21 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Levy |first=Megan |date=2011-01-13 |title=Bligh's tear-filled cry: 'We are Queenslanders' |url=https://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/blighs-tear-filled-cry-we-are-queenslanders-20110113-19oxt.html |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}

In an emotion-charged speech during a media conference at the height of the crisis, Bligh rallied the state, declaring, "We are Queenslanders. We're the people that they breed tough, north of the border."{{Cite web |date=2022-03-18 |title=Anna Bligh: 'We are Queenslanders', response to flood disaster - 2011 |url=https://speakola.com/political/anna-bligh-flood-disaster-we-are-queenslanders-2011 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Speakola |language=en-AU}}

Bligh led a major reconstruction program, including a legislated Reconstruction Authority administering a $6bn rebuilding budget.{{Cite news |date=2011-02-13 |title=Bligh takes reins in Queensland reconstruction |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-02-13/bligh-takes-reins-in-queensland-reconstruction/1941028 |access-date=2024-10-21 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}{{Cite news |date=2011-01-19 |title=Authority established to manage flood rebuilding |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-01-20/authority-established-to-manage-flood-rebuilding/1911454 |access-date=2024-10-21 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}

=Economic reform=

As Treasurer and Premier, Bligh held responsibility for a state budget of almost $50 billion. Her reforms include:

Australia's largest infrastructure building program,{{Cite web |title=$20.2 billion earmarked for infrastructure in Greater Brisbane |url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/46836 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Ministerial Media Statements |language=en}} averaging $15bn (AUD)/year, including new export chain capacity,{{Cite web |title=No coal through Mackay: Bligh |url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/53361 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Ministerial Media Statements |language=en}} major new roads{{Cite web |title=NEW BRIDGE REACHES ACROSS MAJOR INNER CITY ROADS |url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/52656 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Ministerial Media Statements |language=en}} and public transport infrastructure{{Cite web |title=BLIGH GOVERNMENT TO CREATE NEW TRANSIT AUTHORITY |url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/48663 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Ministerial Media Statements |language=en}} and a $9bn ‘Water grid’ connecting water storages and constructing new water sources,{{Cite web |title=SEQ Water Grid hits halfway: Bligh |url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/50601 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Ministerial Media Statements |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2008-02-05 |title=Qld water grid still necessary: Bligh |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-02-05/qld-water-grid-still-necessary-bligh/1033800 |access-date=2024-10-21 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |title=FINAL WATER GRID PIPE LAID |url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/54085 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Ministerial Media Statements |language=en}} including a recycled water scheme and a desalination plant to drought proof Queensland's major urban populations.{{Cite web |last=Wight |first=Andrew |date=2008-11-30 |title=Bligh launches desalination plant |url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/bligh-launches-desalination-plant-20081201-gealyk.html |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Brisbane Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=GREEN ENERGY CHALLENGE FOR DESALINATION PLANT |url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/50919 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Ministerial Media Statements |language=en}}
Major reform of utilities, including the amalgamation of water authorities into a framework structured into supply, distribution and retail corporations of government and the restructure of electricity supply to provide for private commercial retailers, including the sale of Queensland's electricity retailer.{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Conal Hanna and Tony |date=2009-06-02 |title=Bligh justifies asset sales |url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/bligh-justifies-asset-sales-20090602-buad.html |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Brisbane Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2006-10-06 |title=Qld government plans $1b energy sell-off |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/qld-government-plans-1b-energy-sell-off-20061006-gdojk2.html |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}
New investments into research, science and innovation{{Cite web |date=2010-12-04 |title=Premier Anna Bligh announces Life Sciences Queensland |url=https://dcc.com/news-and-insights/premier-anna-bligh-announces-life-sciences-queensland/ |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Davies Collison Cave |language=en}} – shifting a predominantly resource economy to a knowledge-based, creative economy - this 10-year program of investment saw the establishment of 36 new science research institutes and the ratio of scientists and researchers to population grow faster than any other state.{{Cite web |title=BLIGH GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGES SMART STATE CAREERS |url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/48722 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Ministerial Media Statements |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=BLIGH GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR RESEARCH LABORATORY |url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/52292 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Ministerial Media Statements |language=en}}
Privatisation of the bulk freight and coal division of the government-owned railway business in 2010.{{Cite web |date=2010-08-11 |title=Bligh continues negotiations to sell QR National |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-08-11/bligh-continues-negotiations-to-sell-qr-national/940512 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en-AU}}
Significant new investment in the Arts, including the construction of a new Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) and other cultural infrastructure, which saw an increase in cultural tourism.{{Cite web |title=PICASSO & HIS COLLECTION OPENS AT GOMA |url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/52162 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Ministerial Media Statements |language=en}} These new investments included additional funding support for the performing arts and major exhibitions.{{Cite news |date=2010-08-04 |title=Bligh lauds Qld's cultural tourism revolution |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-08-04/bligh-lauds-qlds-cultural-tourism-revolution/931916 |access-date=2024-10-21 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |author=News Desk |date=2008-02-27 |title=QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHES TWO NEW-MEDIA PRIZES |url=https://www.artforum.com/news/queensland-government-establishes-two-new-media-prizes-187649/ |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Artforum |language=en-US}}
Bligh led the successful bid for the Gold Coast to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.{{Cite web |date=2011-11-05 |title=Bligh puts in Commonwealth Games bid |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-05/bligh-puts-in-commonwealth-games-bid/3637580 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |title=Premier makes official bid for 2018 Commonwealth Games |url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/63029 |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Ministerial Media Statements |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2010-09-26 |title=Bligh to make Comm Games bid |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/bligh-to-make-comm-games-bid-20100926-15s49.html |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}

=Privatisation=

Bligh announced the privatisation of five government owned corporations:

Queensland Motorways Limited (Operating the Gateway Bridge and Logan Motorway tolling systems)
The Port of Brisbane Authority
Forestry Plantations Queensland
Abbot Point Coal Terminal
Coal-carrying rail lines, currently owned by Queensland Rail (QR Passenger services will remain nationalised).

More than 3,000 workers were to be offered voluntary redundancies, just three months after the privatisation of QR National.

Queensland Motorways Limited and Forestry Plantations Queensland were not being sold, but rather being leased for an estimated 50-year lease. Since this announcement, the Queensland Government announced plans to sell Queensland Rail to the public.

Revenues from privatisation were estimated at $15 billion, to go towards balancing Queensland's state budget.{{cite news|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/bligh-govt-to-sell-five-state-assets-20090602-btji.html|title=Bligh Government to sell five state assets|last=Berry|first=Petrina|date=2 June 2009|publisher=smh.com.au The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=6 June 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208020212/http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/bligh-govt-to-sell-five-state-assets-20090602-btji.html|archive-date=8 February 2015|df=dmy-all}}

The sale of these assets aimed at removing significant overheads from the Queensland government's debt portfolio, allowing further growth of the government's capital assets, as well as aiding the government to return to its AAA credit rating. Bligh faced resistance from both within her party and the trade union movement, but defended her privatisation plan as 'not negotiable'.{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25596437-952,00.html.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121230202754/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25596437-952,00.html.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 December 2012|title=Anna Bligh defends privatisation amid Labor party row|last=AAP|date=2 June 2009|publisher=couriermail.com.au The Courier-Mail|access-date=6 June 2009}}

=2012 election=

File:Foreign Secretary helping at the barbecue (5369151185).jpg and British Foreign Secretary William Hague at a 2011 barbecue to raise funds for Queensland flood victims.]]

Bligh's management of and performance during the 2010–11 Queensland floods was widely approved. Labor had been well behind the LNP, led by John-Paul Langbroek, for most of the time since the fall of 2010. However, the following Newspoll saw a record turnaround in Bligh and Labor's fortunes. Labor rose from a two-party deficit of 41–59 to a lead of 52–48, with Bligh's personal satisfaction-dissatisfaction standing going from a negative 24–67 to a positive 49–43.[http://newspoll.com.au/cgi-bin/polling/display_poll_data.pl?url_caller=&mode=trend&page=show_polls&question_set_id=13 Queensland opinion polling] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331161328/http://newspoll.com.au/cgi-bin/polling/display_poll_data.pl?url_caller=&mode=trend&page=show_polls&question_set_id=13 |date=31 March 2012 }} conducted by Newspoll and published in The Australian Bligh's recovery in the polls was a factor behind Langbroek being forced to stand down in favour of Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeIDiJTN1VU Campbell Newman's Queensland coup] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617231555/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeIDiJTN1VU |date=17 June 2016 }}. 6PM with George Negus (Ten News), 22 March 2011. Newman had become a national figure during the floods, and polling showed he was the only non-Labor politician who even came close to matching Bligh's popularity during that time.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RtI6W35y8c Newman's bid for leadership] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406152929/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RtI6W35y8c |date=6 April 2017 }}. 7.30 (ABC News), 22 March 2011.

However, Newman was not a member of parliament, and a by-election could not be arranged to allow him to get a seat in the chamber. For this reason, Jeff Seeney was elected as interim parliamentary leader of the LNP while Newman led the LNP's election team and simultaneously contested the Labor-held seat of Ashgrove.Green, Antony. [http://www.abc.net.au/elections/qld/2012/guide/preview.htm Queensland election preview] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111031021/http://www.abc.net.au/elections/qld/2012/guide/preview.htm |date=11 November 2016 }}. Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 25 January 2012. Bligh harshly criticised Newman's move, saying it was irresponsible for Newman to "cut and run" from his post as Lord Mayor while Queensland was still rebuilding. She also hinted that she might call an election a year before it was due. She had previously promised not to call an election for 2011 to focus on recovery, but was concerned that the unorthodox leadership arrangement on the opposition side could make the co-operation necessary for the recovery effort impossible.Barrett, Roseanne; Walker, Jamie. [http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/bligh-ramps-up-early-election-speculation/story-e6frgczx-1226028356801 Anna Bligh ramps up early Queensland election speculation]. The Australian, 26 March 2011.

On 25 January, Bligh announced an election for 24 March. It was the first time in Queensland history that the voters knew the election date in advance of the parliament being dissolved. Bligh made this decision after learning that the Commission of Inquiry into the 2010–11 Queensland floods would not release its final report until 16 March, rather than the middle of February as originally planned. She wanted Queenslanders to see the report before they went to the polls.{{Cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2012/s3415733.htm |title=Qld to have March 24 poll |author=Matt Wordsworth |access-date=28 January 2012 |date=25 January 2012 |work=PM |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221161936/http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2012/s3415733.htm |archive-date=21 February 2015 |df=dmy-all }}

Bligh asked Governor Penny Wensley to dissolve parliament on 19 February, formally beginning the 35-day campaign.{{Cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-19/bligh-officially-sets-queensland-election-date/3838360 |title=Bligh officially sets Queensland election date |access-date=20 February 2012 |date=19 February 2012 |work=PM |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220030453/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-19/bligh-officially-sets-queensland-election-date/3838360 |archive-date=20 February 2012 |df=dmy-all }} She began the race as an underdog; the LNP had regained a substantial lead in polling since Newman took the leadership.

Bligh was dogged throughout the campaign by the perception that she'd misled voters about the asset sales. With Labor sinking in the polls, Bligh conceded in a 13 March interview with the Brisbane Times that in all likelihood, Labor would not be re-elected.{{cite news|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/state-election-2012/bligh-admits-labor-loss-most-likely-result-20120315-1v6av.html|title=Bligh admits Labor loss 'most likely result'|last=Hewitt|first=Daniel|work=Brisbane Times|date=15 March 2012|access-date=24 March 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317214846/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/state-election-2012/bligh-admits-labor-loss-most-likely-result-20120315-1v6av.html|archive-date=17 March 2012|df=dmy-all}} The final Newspoll of the campaign appeared to confirm this, showing Labor's support had sunk to only 39.2 percent.{{cite web |url=http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2012/03/final-newspoll-of-queensland-campaign.html |title=Antony Green - ABC News |access-date=2012-03-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918220637/http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2012/03/final-newspoll-of-queensland-campaign.html |archive-date=18 September 2015 |df=dmy-all }}

At 24 March election, Labor suffered one of the largest electoral wipeouts in Australian history, and the worst defeat that a sitting government in Queensland has ever suffered, double the previous record-holder of the 1989 election. Labor was reduced from 51 seats to seven, suffering a swing of more than 15 points. This was largely because of a near-total meltdown in Brisbane, which had been Labor's power base for over two decades. The party lost all but three of its seats in the capital, in some cases suffering swings of over 10 percent. Bligh herself suffered a 9-point swing in South Brisbane, and she only overcame her LNP challenger on Green preferences. Ten members of her cabinet were defeated. It was only the sixth time since 1915 that Queenslanders have thrown a government from office in an election.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

The next day, with Labor's defeat beyond doubt, Bligh announced she was retiring from politics. She had intended to stay in parliament, but said that the severity of Labor's defeat made her realise the party could not "develop an effective opposition" with her even as a backbencher. She resigned as both premier and state Labor leader that day, and handed her resignation to Wensley the same afternoon, to take effect from 30 March 2012.{{cite news |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/anna-bligh-quits-politics/story-fnbt5t29-1226309458748 |title=Anna Bligh quits: 'Labor cannot rebuild with me in its ranks' |author=Koren Helbig |author2=Sarah Vogler |work=The Sunday Mail |date=25 March 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401184008/http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/anna-bligh-quits-politics/story-fnbt5t29-1226309458748 |archive-date=1 April 2012 |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-25/anna-bligh-resigns-from-parliament/3911416|title=Bligh resigns after election wipe-out|work=ABC News|date=25 March 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325133947/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-25/anna-bligh-resigns-from-parliament/3911416|archive-date=25 March 2012|df=dmy-all}} Bligh had intended that the timing of her resignation would allow a by-election to be held on 28 April 2012, the same day as local government elections. She was ultimately succeeded as state Labor leader by her Transport Minister, Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Later reports suggested that Bligh would not be able to formally resign from Parliament until the writ of election for South Brisbane was returned, meaning that a by-election would be too late to coincide with the Brisbane City Council election.{{cite web |work=Courier-Mail |title=Former Premier Anna Bligh may have to resign for second time due to electoral commission technicality |date=29 March 2012 |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/former-premier-anna-bligh-may-have-to-resign-for-second-time-due-to-electoral-commission-technicality/story-fnbt5t29-1226312928352 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407090026/http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/former-premier-anna-bligh-may-have-to-resign-for-second-time-due-to-electoral-commission-technicality/story-fnbt5t29-1226312928352 |archive-date=7 April 2012 |df=dmy-all }} But on 2 April, she was declared the winner,{{cite web |url=http://virtualtallyroom.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/state/State2012/results/district73.html |title=2012 State General Election: South Brisbane District Summary |access-date=2 April 2012 |publisher=Electoral Commission of Queensland |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326173259/http://virtualtallyroom.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/state/State2012/results/district73.html |archive-date=26 March 2012 |df=dmy-all }} and a writ was subsequently issued for the by-election.{{cite web |url=http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2012/04/qld2012-update-on-close-contests-3-april.html |work=Antony Green's Election Blog |publisher=ABC News |title=QLD2012 – Update on Close Contests – 3 April |date=3 April 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408062642/http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2012/04/qld2012-update-on-close-contests-3-april.html |archive-date=8 April 2012 |df=dmy-all }}

After politics

In 2014, Bligh was appointed CEO of YWCA New South Wales,[http://www.ywcansw.com.au/news/YWCA%20NSW%20announces%20former%20Queensland%20Premier,%20Anna%20Bligh,%20as%20new%20CEO.php YWCA NSW] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329095630/http://www.ywcansw.com.au/news/YWCA%20NSW%20announces%20former%20Queensland%20Premier%2C%20Anna%20Bligh%2C%20as%20new%20CEO.php |date=29 March 2014 }}. Retrieved 29 March 2014 a not-for-profit organisation striving to end domestic violence and build a safer world for women and children. 

In 2017, she was made CEO of the Australian Banking Association.{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-17/anna-bligh-appointed-first-female-aust-bankers-assoc-ceo/8279578|title=Anna Bligh appointed as Australian Bankers' Association CEO|date=17 February 2017|work=ABC News|access-date=26 February 2017|language=en-AU|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226130735/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-17/anna-bligh-appointed-first-female-aust-bankers-assoc-ceo/8279578|archive-date=26 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}

Personal life

On 8 June 2013, Bligh announced that she had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.{{cite news | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-07/former-queensland-premier-anna-bligh-reveals-she-has-cancer/4740820 | title=Anna Bligh, the former Queensland premier, reveals she has non-Hodgkin lymphoma | work=ABC News | date=8 June 2013 | access-date=9 June 2013 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609100100/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-07/former-queensland-premier-anna-bligh-reveals-she-has-cancer/4740820 | archive-date=9 June 2013 | df=dmy-all }}

Bligh's memoir, "Through The Wall", was published in April 2015.{{cite news | url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/books-of-2015-a-preview-of-the-highlights-20141219-12a5zc.html | title=Books of 2015 | work=Sydney Morning Herald | date=27 December 2014 | access-date=4 January 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230130737/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/books-of-2015-a-preview-of-the-highlights-20141219-12a5zc.html | archive-date=30 December 2014 | df=dmy-all }}

In 2017, Bligh was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the Parliament of Queensland, particularly as Premier, to infrastructure development and education reform, as an advocate for the role of women in public life, and to the not-for-profit sector.{{cite web |url=http://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/honours/ad/ad2017/slkh83xzcb/AC%20Final%20Media%20Notes.pdf |title=Companion (AC) in the General Division of the Order of Australia |work=Australia Day 2017 Honours List |publisher=Governor-General of Australia |date=26 January 2017 |access-date=26 January 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129003426/https://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/honours/ad/ad2017/slkh83xzcb/AC%20Final%20Media%20Notes.pdf |archive-date=29 January 2017 |df=dmy-all }}

References

External links

[http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/ Official Website]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20130408202257/http://anna4queensland.com.au/ Campaign Website]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20090212211546/http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/legislativeAssembly/documents/memberBio/BlighAnna.htm Parliamentary Biography]
[https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/1dejkfd/alma99183959119202061 Anna Bligh's response to the 2008 Apology], State Library of Queensland
{{Australian Women and Leadership|WLE0307b|Bligh, Anna Maria}}
[https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma99184320376202061 The Honourable Anna Bligh AC in conversation with Malcolm McMillan], State Library of Queensland