By convention the premier is the leader of the party with a parliamentary majority in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland.

Under section 43 of the Constitution of Queensland the premier and other members of Cabinet are appointed by the governor.

In practice, under the conventions of the Westminster System followed in Queensland, the premier's power is derived from two sources: command of a majority in the Legislative Assembly, and the premier's role as chair of Cabinet, determining the appointment and roles of ministers.

At other times the premier's ministerial office is in 1 William Street, which is across the road from the Executive Annexe.

Before the end of the first decade of the twentieth century, political parties were more akin to parliamentary factions, and were fluid, informal and disorganised by modern standards.