Anna Bligh has quit the Queensland Parliament in the wake of Labor's humiliating electoral defeat.
Ms Bligh told a media conference this morning Queensland had sent her and her government an overwhelming message.
Bligh said today was a "heartbreaking day" for the Labor Party in Queensland and the party needed to focus immediately on rebuilding. Advertisement: Story continues below
"This is not a task that can be achieved with me at the head of the team or indeed as part of the team," she said.
Her decision to resign from the seat of South Brisbane, which she has represented since 1995, will become effective on Friday.
Labor was last night reduced to between six and eight seats in the 89-seat Parliament in a debilitating defeat.
"This result is absolutely shattering for the Australian Labor Party. This is much more than a loss; it is without doubt a devastating defeat," Ms Bligh said during her press conference today.
"The task for Labor is not be consumed by that heartbreak.
"The task is to do everything in our power to rebuild and renew."
Ms Bligh said she has suggested to the incoming government that the date of the upcoming Brisbane City Council elections - April 28 - be used for the South Brisbane by-election to minimise disruption to voters.
"But that is entirely a matter for the incoming government," she said.
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