This is the fourth in a series of short briefings ahead of the October election.
Well, it was certainly the calm before the storm with a frenetic energy from all campaigns in the past week.
The campaign this week saw a shift from minimal policy to an avalanche of content – it is hard to see voters keeping up with the intensity.
The centre piece of the Premier’s week was the commitment to create a publicly owned energy retailer backed in by an Energy Price Guarantee to keep power bills cheaper than the average national electricity market price.
The Premier continued to spruik two of the core existing policies considered assets to the the Government – Homes for Queensland and the Big Build.
These policies are already rolling out the homes Queenslanders are desperate for and the infrastructure the growth in recent years demands but more than that the Government hopes to create the contrast showing their plan in action against an LNP alternative government lacking in ambition at this stage of the campaign.
The Premier also made further commitments of $30 million Boaties’ Infrastructure fund will deliver new accessible pontoons and ramps across Queensland – always a popular strategy to appeal to fishing communities.
The Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton made his first appearance on the campaign trail this week, joining David Crisafulli for another Law-and-Order announcement with the LNP committing to a GPS tracker program for high-risk domestic violence offenders.
Crisafulli chose the King’s Birthday Public Holiday to announce their Health policy, committing $590 million for health and a commitment to get ramping below 30 per cent if elected.
The policy makes significant commitments to improve wait times, reduce ramping, increase staff numbers, deliver better services, end maternity bypass and boost region health services.
The policy is lacking any real detail and when combined with the existing lack of detail on economic policy, raises serious questions about how all of the LNP commitments can be delivered.
The ALP attack in response to the LNP plan was immediate so expect to see more in the Health space.
Health a defining issue of most state campaigns – the ALP will try to play to their strengths, while the LNP will seek to neutralise an attack.
In a somewhat unexpected move Crisafulli has pledged to resign as premier after one term if the number of Queensland crime victims does not fall.
Crisafulli and the LNP are already viewed as stronger on Crime so this statement likely doesn’t really do much before the election in terms of winning votes.
All it really serves to achieve is to establish an immediate frame of attack from all opponents if he is elected on October 26.
The first week also saw the first broadcast leaders’ debate.
This was an opportunity for Crisafulli to really position himself as the alternate premier by delivering a stronger performance than Miles.
He probably fell short of that goal, but he performed well, even dodging the attack on unfunded spending, so his campaign rolls on.
Jared Bleijie continues to refuse to debate his counterpart.
The Courier Mail is not letting him off the hook, last week encouraging Deputy Premier Cameron Dick to pick his preferred cardboard cut out of the Member for Kawana to debate instead.
The Treasurer is a safe bet in most debate settings so good odds for an ALP win in this one.
The Greens are continuing their push into Labor held seats of McConnell, Cooper, Miller and Greenslopes.
The results of a YouGov poll commissioned by the minor Party were released to prove support exists for their already announced policies of rent caps, a public owned bank and grocery price increase caps.
The Greens continue to be confident of pick ups, and there caucus is likely to grow, but their hoped for ‘Greenslide’ is unlikely.
As expected one nation weighed into the public debate this week with a press conference featuring a novelty giant pledge to preference Labor and the Greens last on all how to vote cards.
They continue to focus energies on Keppel which is a real possibility of a pickup with former staffer James Ashby running a strong campaign.
Katter Australia Party announced additional candidates in the field this week and continue to push for pick up’s out of Townsville on the back of voters deserting Labor and the Government.
There was some bickering between KAP + One Nation about preferences however they have established a unity ticket on Abortion Law reform with both minor parties committing to introducing laws to repeal or amend abortion laws in the next term of government if elected.
In response David Crisafulli has recommitted to his promise there would be “no change” however there are 2 real risks here. The first is ensuring his caucus and candidates maintain their discipline and resist being drawn into making comments that force the leader off message.
The second and arguably bigger problem will come if he is successful on October 26. If a bill is introduced by the cross-bench and his caucus forces a conscious vote on the matter it could set him up for another broken promise in the early days of government.
The ALP and to a lesser extent the Greens, have been campaigning on the risk of termination and voluntary assisted dying rights being repealed under an LNP government so this conversation will likely continue.
After a week on the election trail it’s hard to split the performance of the leaders of the two major parties with both doing well so far. This bodes well for Crisafulli and the LNP.
Ahead in the polls, Crisafulli just needs to maintain his discipline and avoid being taken off course.
Miles can be happy with a strong performance as leader during a campaign but is unlikely to be pulling the votes back that he needs.
You can read previous briefings here.
Policy in Focus
The ALP announced a publicly owned energy retailer and an Energy Price Guarantee and a Boaties’ Infrastructure fund.
The LNP announced Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund, a GPS tracker program for high-risk domestic violence offenders and a $590m Health Plan.
KAP + ONP have committed to propose changes to the state’s abortion laws in the next term of government.
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