On Saturday October 26, Queensland Labor is vying for a fourth consecutive term in government, up against David Crisafulli’s Liberal ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Party (LNP).
Author
- Pandanus Petter
Research Fellow School of Politics and International Relations, Australian ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ University
Although Labor won the previous election in 2020 , opinion polls in the lead up to this election have consistently .
Recent Queensland history shows voters can produce dramatic election results, such as the 2012 wipeout of Labor, and its equally dramatic return to government in . With no upper house to provide a check on government power, whoever wins will likely have a relatively free hand to enact their policy agenda.
A continuing trend of means many Queenslanders have already made their judgement. But what have been the big issues dominating the campaign, and what priorities will the next government be working toward?
The usual suspects
The to voters in Queensland are likely familiar to people in other states:
cost of living
housing
crime
health
to a lesser extent, economic management.
However, the two main parties have different emphases and approaches.
A campaign on crime and crises
The LNP is focused on attacking Labor’s record. Crisafulli has largely tried to keep the party firmly on-message, highlighting what they describe as “crises” in housing, youth crime, cost of living, health and government integrity for at the last year.
The extent of youth crime, what causes it and what solves it are a of .
But the LNP has been keen to present themselves as proposing tougher solutions than their opponents. They’ve made promises to change youth sentencing laws to deter offenders under the slogan ” “.
They’ve also promised to provide “tough love” to at-risk youth with mandatory re-training .
On other issues, they’ve been promising more efficient health services, incentives to home ownership and greater .
However, they’ve been careful to try to avoid more controversial issues and present a “small target” on economic management. Interestingly, the LNP has largely confirmed they’ll adopt many of Labor’s budgetary priorities on .
Despite this, a last minute emphasis on the possible reversal of legislation decriminalising abortion and voluntary assisted dying has threatened to derail their .
Reverting to old ways, the LNP is backing an and dumping a controversial proposed hydroelectric dam.
Crisafulli has walked back earlier support for with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
If they win government, the LNP would also likely shut down the freshly minted , claiming they will focus on “practical” help for Indigenous communities instead.
They’re also promising electoral reform with a longstanding commitment to remove ” ” compulsory preferential voting and the reversal of laws that banned property .
Progressive balancing act
Steven Miles took over from Annastacia Palaszczuk as Labor leader and premier .
Labor has also been focused on using incumbency to address key issues, while trying to stake out a position as a force for progressive change.
They have warned of the potential “hidden” dangers of the LNP, pointing to unpopular cuts to the civil service last time the LNP .
On cost of living, they’ve given direct relief to , with 50 cent fares for public transport, $1000 household energy rebates and promised free lunches for public .
They have been keen to say this is a dividend from increased royalties charged to coal mining .
On housing, they have continued their focus on addressing the of social and affordable housing alongside modest reforms to (although ruling out any caps on prices).
They’re promising a new era of state intervention to improve competition in .
On crime, Labor has followed the LNP’s lead in some matters, such as investing in extra police resources. They’ve also controversially ignored the Human Rights Act to keep youth imprisoned while emphasising .
Of more comfort to progressive voters, they have positioned themselves as firmly committed to keeping their abortion and voluntary assisted dying legislation . Labor will also continue the transition to .
Disenchantment with the major parties
Despite their efforts, or perhaps because of Crisafulli’s disciplined messaging, it doesn’t look as if voters have been swayed to keep the government. There’s a clear mood for change.
However, it should be noted this isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement of Crisafulli or the LNP’s whole agenda, as opinion polls show neither is .
After trailing for most of the campaign, Miles is still behind, but has made up in the past week.
Whoever wins, they will have to govern in an era when more people are disenchanted with the .
Among those vying to hold or increase their in are the socially conservative Katter’s Australian Party, as well as some popular local mayors running as independents.
Meanwhile, the Greens are pushing to claim .
The minor parties are campaigning hard on persistent problems in , , health and . These are all hard to solve quickly and not necessarily helped by .
The next parliament will have to find a way to represent a state divided in public opinion between those in the city and those in across all of the key issues.
