Palaszczuk's test begins in Qld parliament

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has weathered a cyclone, but must now face a bigger storm in parliament.

Just five days after taking office, Ms Palaszczuk had to co-ordinate emergency services in preparation for the wild category five storm that tore through central Queensland.

No one was killed or seriously injured, but 550 homes are uninhabitable and the damage bill is set to hit $1 billion.

In an immediate test of her premiership, Ms Palaszczuk - a shock victor at the polls - has come through it by showing leadership and warmth in touring broken communities and co-ordinating the recovery efforts.

Her passionate and energetic efforts have been widely praised by mayors, charity leaders and community groups.

Even Liberal National Party leader Lawrence Springborg concedes the new government has "done a pretty good job".

It's an important early pass mark for the first Australian woman to win a state election from opposition.

Ms Palaszczuk had big shoes to fill.

Former Labor premier Anna Bligh won huge plaudits for her strength and resolve in handling the destructive 2011 floods, despite her unpopularity and being at the end of her tenure.

But for Ms Palaszczuk, her real test begins when parliament resumes on March 24.

Throughout the past week, she routinely batted away questions about her policies and the upcoming parliamentary term.

Ms Palaszczuk told reporters her priority was the "cyclone-impacted communities" and "all of our focus needs to be rebuilding these communities".

But public attention will soon turn to matters outside the disaster zone.

Labor ran a policy-light election campaign and Queenslanders want to know how it will grow the economy and reduce the growing unemployment rate of 6.5 per cent.

New Labor ministers have been in a scramble to get up to date on complex portfolios and many are still in the process of hiring staff.

Industries such as commercial fishing and live cattle exports are outraged by Labor's election promises and the divisive comments ministers have made about their sectors.

The pressure will be on Ms Palaszczuk and it won't just be the opposition who will be waiting for her to slip up, especially after her embarrassing pre-election gaffe when she forgot the GST rate.

There's been months of media speculation about an early-term leadership challenge.

Health Minister Cameron Dick is a name being passed around, but during and since the election, Deputy Premier Jackie Trad has presented as a supremely confident and sharp performer.

Labor has a single-seat majority, meaning every MP will need to be present just to make sure it has numbers to pass legislation.

Despite being in opposition, the LNP holds the early advantage when parliament reconvenes, as it has had three years in power and will be ready to hit the ground running.

Labor and its new premier are scrambling to get ready to govern.

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