Queensland Opposition Leader Steven Miles used his address at the state Labor convention on Saturday not to announce major policies but to rally the party faithful.
"We have travelled the state to hear directly where we - to be blunt - failed as a government and what we need to do better if we want to earn the trust of Queenslanders again in 2028," he said.
"We are approaching this term in opposition with a clean slate.
"A chance to acknowledge where we went wrong and lost focus, own our mistakes and rebuild."
Mr Miles was premier for 10 months before he was defeated by David Crisafulli's Liberal National Party in 2024.
His predecessor Annastacia Palaszczuk, who led Queensland Labor for nine years, was on Saturday honoured with a life membership for her role in returning the decimated party of just seven members back to government within one election cycle in 2015.
However, the Labor leader said being in opposition at least has one benefit: time.
The movement will use that time to build strong relationships and and hone policies and solutions for worsening crises, including housing, cost of living, healthcare and community safety, he said.
"And we need your determination too - the same support that we all threw behind Albo and the federal campaign," Mr Miles said.
Queensland Labor was focused on regaining support in the regions as it maps its path back to government, with the party commencing a regional recruitment drive based around its regional shadow cabinet program.
"Growing our party right now is so important as we rise up against Crisafulli and his cuts," Mr Miles said.
"Because together - bigger and stronger - we will create opportunities for the generations to come."
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