Queensland Premier Steven Miles’ un-modelled election pledge to open government-owned petrol stations was slammed by economists and the industry as an intervention that would do the opposite of his stated intention and push up the cost of driving.

The Labor leader’s latest cost-of-living pitch to voters for the October 26 election includes a cap on fuel prices by legislating a ban on petrol stations raising them more than once a day and flagging any price change a day in advance. It would work with transport lobby RACQ to trial a daily limit on increases in petrol prices to no more than 5¢ a litre.