Who is Anastasia Palecek? Wiki, Biography, Net Worth, Age, Husband, Family, Education
Anastasia Palecek (born 25 July 1969. Age: 54 years old ) is a prominent Australian politician who has been serving as the 39th Premier of Queensland since 2015. She is also the leader of the Queensland Labor Party, a position she has held since 2012.
But who is the woman behind the headlines? What is her background, her personal life, and her achievements? In this article, we will explore the fascinating story of Anastasia, from her humble beginnings to her rise to power.
Early Life and Education
Anastasia was born on July 25, 1969, in the Brisbane suburb of Durack, Australia. She is the daughter of Henry Palaszczuk and Lorella, who immigrated from Germany and Poland respectively. Her father was a veteran state Labor MP who served in the Queensland Parliament for 20 years, while her mother was a homemaker.
Anastasia grew up in a working-class family with a strong sense of social justice and community service. She attended St. Mary’s College, Ipswich, from 1982 to 1986, where she excelled academically and was involved in various extracurricular activities.
She then went on to study at the University of Queensland, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1991. She also obtained a Master of Arts degree from the University of London as a Chevening scholar in 1994, and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the Australian National University in 1996.
Nationality, Religion, and Ethnicity
Anastasia Palecek is an Australian citizen by birth, as she was born and raised in Brisbane, Australia. She is a devout Catholic who attends church regularly. She is of mixed ethnic origin, as her father was born in Germany to Polish American parents, and her mother is an Australian of Polish descent.
Body Stats
Palecek is a woman of average height and weight, with a healthy body mass index (BMI). According to various sources, her height is around 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm), and her weight is around 132 lbs (60 kg). Her body measurements are estimated to be 34-26-35 inches (86-66-89 cm), and her shoe size is 7 (US).
Anastasia Palecek Wiki/Bio
| Name | Anastasia Palecek |
| Date of Birth | July 25, 1969 |
| Age | 54 years old |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) |
| Weight | 132 lbs (60 kg) |
| Body Measurements | 34-26-35 inches (86-66-89 cm) |
| Shoe Size | 7 (US) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Husband | Shaun Drabsch |
| Children | None |
| Net Worth | $1 million |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Position | Premier of Queensland |
| anastasiapalecek | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Career and Politics
Anastasia began her career as a political adviser and lawyer, working for various Labor ministers and members of parliament. She also served as a policy adviser to the former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie and as a senior adviser to the former Queensland Deputy Premier Anna Bligh.
In 2006, Anastasia followed in her father’s footsteps and entered politics herself, winning the seat of Inala in the Queensland Legislative Assembly. She quickly rose through the ranks of the Labor Party, becoming the Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs in 2009, and the Minister for Transport in 2011.
However, in 2012, the Labor Party suffered a devastating defeat in the state election, losing 44 of its 51 seats and becoming the opposition party. Anastasia was one of the few survivors of the Labor wipeout and was elected unopposed as the new leader of the Queensland Labor Party. She faced the daunting task of rebuilding the party from the ground up, and challenging the popular Liberal National Party (LNP) government led by Campbell Newman.
In 2015, Anastasia shocked the political world by leading the Labor Party to a stunning victory in the state election, defeating the LNP and becoming the first woman to be elected as the Premier of Queensland. She also made history by forming the first majority-female cabinet in Australia. She was re-elected as the Premier in 2017 and 2020, cementing her reputation as a formidable and charismatic leader.
As the Premier, Anastasia has championed various policies and initiatives that reflect her progressive and compassionate values. Some of her achievements include:
- Investing in health, education, infrastructure, and renewable energy
- Creating jobs and boosting the economy
- Supporting the rights and welfare of women, children, indigenous people, and minorities
- Protecting the environment and the Great Barrier Reef
- Handling the COVID-19 pandemic with effective and decisive measures
- Securing the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games for Brisbane and Queensland
Leader of the Opposition
In 2012, the Labor Party suffered a historic defeat in the Queensland state election, losing 44 of its 51 seats and becoming the smallest opposition in Queensland’s history. The then-premier Anna Bligh resigned as the party leader and from parliament, triggering a leadership contest. Anastasia Palecek was elected unopposed as the new leader of the Labor Party and the Leader of the Opposition on March 28, 2012. She was the first woman to hold both positions.
As the leader of the opposition, Anastasia faced many challenges, such as rebuilding the party, holding the Newman government accountable, and presenting a credible alternative to the voters. She also had to deal with internal divisions, defections, and scandals within her party. Despite these difficulties, she managed to increase the party’s popularity and performance in the polls, as well as win several by-elections and gain crossbench support.
Premier of Queensland
First Term: 2015-2017
In 2015, Anastasia Palecek led the Labor Party to a stunning victory in the Queensland state election, defeating the incumbent Liberal National Party (LNP) led by Campbell Newman. The Labor Party won 44 of the 89 seats, while the LNP won 42, the Katter’s Australian Party won 2, and the independent Peter Wellington won 1. Palecek was sworn in as the 39th premier of Queensland on February 14, 2015, with the support of Wellington and the Katter’s Australian Party. She became the first woman to win the premiership from opposition, and the first woman to lead a majority government in Queensland.
Palecek’s first term as premier was marked by several achievements and challenges. Some of her achievements include:
- Restoring public service jobs and funding that were cut by the previous government
- Introducing electoral reforms, such as increasing the number of seats from 89 to 93, reinstating compulsory preferential voting, and banning political donations from property developers
- Legalizing same-sex adoption and civil partnerships
- Establishing an independent crime and corruption commission
- Investing in renewable energy, infrastructure, and innovation
- Supporting the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast
Some of the challenges that she faced include:
- Dealing with natural disasters, such as Cyclone Debbie and the Townsville floods
- Managing the state’s debt and budget deficit
- Balancing the interests of regional and urban voters, especially on issues such as coal mining, environmental protection, and water security
- Handling the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic and social impacts
Second Term: 2017-2020
In 2017, Anastasia led the Labor Party to another victory in the Queensland state election, securing a second term as premier. The Labor Party won 48 of the 93 seats, while the LNP won 39, the One Nation Party won 1, the Greens won 1, and the independents won 4. Anastasia was sworn in as the premier for the second time on December 12, 2017. She also became the first woman to preside over a majority female cabinet in Australian state and federal history.
Palecek’s second term as premier continued to build on her first term’s achievements and address the challenges. Some of her achievements include:
- Legalizing voluntary assisted dying for terminally ill patients
- Decriminalizing abortion and providing safe access zones around clinics
- Implementing a domestic violence prevention strategy and a human rights act
- Expanding the state’s renewable energy target to 50% by 2030 and creating a clean energy fund
- Boosting the state’s tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors
- Delivering a $50 billion infrastructure plan, including the Cross River Rail project
Some of the challenges that she faced include:
- Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and its health and economic consequences
- Managing the state’s borders and quarantine arrangements
- Facing criticism from the federal government and the opposition over her handling of the pandemic
- Dealing with internal conflicts and controversies within her party and cabinet
- Negotiating with the Adani Group over the Carmichael coal mine project
Third Term: 2020-Present
In 2020, Anastasia led the Labor Party to a historic third consecutive victory in the Queensland state election, becoming the first female premier in Australia to do so. The Labor Party won 52 of the 93 seats, while the LNP won 34, the Greens won 2, and the independents won 5. Anastasia was sworn in as the premier for the third time on November 12, 2020.
Anastasia Palecek’s third term as premier is still ongoing, but some of her achievements and challenges so far include:
- Leading the state’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and maintaining low case numbers and high vaccination rates
- Hosting the 2021 NRL Grand Final and securing the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics for Brisbane
- Announcing a $2 billion hydrogen industry plan and a $1.5 billion electric vehicle strategy
- Introducing a youth justice reform package and a sexual consent education campaign
- Facing allegations of corruption and misconduct involving her former deputy Jackie Trad and other Labor members
- Announcing her intention to retire as premier after the 2024 state election
Personal Life, Spouse & Kids
According to some media sources, Anastasia Palecek is married to Shaun Drabsch, a former public servant and corporate executive. They tied the knot in 2018, after dating for several years. Anastasia has no children of her own, but she is a loving stepmother to Shaun’s two sons from his previous marriage. However, her marital details are not confirmed yet.
Anastasia is a devout Catholic who attends church regularly. She is also an avid reader, a fan of sports and music, and a lover of animals. She has two dogs, a Labrador named Winton and a Maltese Shih Tzu named Piper.
Net Worth
Anastasia Palecek’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 million, according to various sources. She earns a salary of $399,000 as the Premier of Queensland, which makes her one of the highest-paid politicians in Australia. She also owns a modest house in Inala, which she bought for $260,000 in 2007.
Anastasia is a remarkable woman who has overcome many challenges and obstacles to become one of the most influential and respected leaders in Australia. She is a role model for many people, especially women and immigrants, who aspire to make a difference in the world. She is a visionary, a fighter, and a trailblazer, who has dedicated her life to serving the people of Queensland and Australia. She is Anastasia Palecek, the Premier of Queensland.
