Annastacia Palaszczuk has backtracked on a controversial captain’s call to name Suncorp Stadium after a former Labor deputy premier and rugby league figure.

The Queensland premier announced on Monday the Brisbane stadium would no longer be named after Terry Mackenroth – who died this year – after blowback distressed his family.

“I do not want his family hurt or for his name to be a cause of division over a stadium that Terry loved so much,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“His widow Mary and I believed the honour was fitting but we have been surprised, hurt and disappointed by some of the reaction, which has caused the family great distress.”

She was last week forced to defend her decision after Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington labelled it “out of touch”.

Ms Frecklington argued the accolade should be given to a Queensland sporting great, not a politician.

“My sympathies are with the Mackenroth family who have been used as a political football by Annastacia Palaszczuk,” she said on Monday.

“The Premier’s stunning lack of judgement with her ‘captain’s call’ has been exposed.”

Mr Mackenroth, a former Queensland deputy premier and treasurer, passed away in April. Photo: AAP

Mr Mackenroth was deputy to Labor premier Peter Beattie and was also Queensland treasurer.

He was credited as being a key figure in the transformation of the old Lang Park into the 52,000-seat Suncorp Stadium in the early 2000s.

He was a director at Queensland Rugby League and Australian Rugby League.

Ms Palaszczuk said his contribution to sport and rugby league was “bigger than politics and deserves recognition”.

The new $5.5 million Carina gymnasium is named after Mr Mackenroth, which Ms Frecklington said was enough recognition.

Deputy Opposition Leader Tim Mander told reporters the public should decide who Suncorp Stadium should be named after.

Mr Mackenroth died aged 68 in April, just a fortnight after being diagnosed with a lung tumour.

-with AAP