Queensland Premier Steven Miles and LNP leader David Crisafulli debate ahead of October 26 election

Queensland’s opposition leader David Crisafulli has made a promise to quit if he doesn’t achieve his main goal - but the timeline wasn’t as clear as the conviction.

Queensland opposition leader David Crisafulli has told voters he’ll quit as Premier if he doesn’t successfully reduce the number of crime victims in the state, but wouldn’t commit to a timeline during the first debate of the election.

Mr Crisafulli went head to head with Queensland Premier Steven Miles the leaders debate, hosted by Nine, on Thursday.

When asked during the debate whether he would resign if he couldn’t reduce crime victim numbers, Mr Crisafulli replied “you bet”.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles and opposition leader David Crisafulli debated each other for the first time during the election. Picture: 9 News

But when pressed on when voters should expect to see a reduction in those numbers, Mr Crisafulli couldn’t give a definitive answer.

“If there aren’t fewer victims, you won’t see me (at the next election),” Mr Crisafulli explained.

The opposition leader referenced crime data that states there are more than 289,000 victims of crime in Queensland, which he claimed is the highest number in the country.

Mr Miles refuted these numbers, imploring Mr Crisafulli to “be honest”.

“The figures David quotes includes those additional victims of domestic violence,” Mr Miles said.

The debate focused on a range of other hot topics for voters, including health, cost of living and even the CFMEU.

Mr Crisafulli blamed the union for falling productivity on infrastructure projects across the state.

The leaders touched on a variety of hot topics for voters. Picture:NewsWire/ Dan Peled

He said the CFMEU doesn’t “value” Queenslanders.

“We’ll drive down prices by working with unions who want to be part of productivity,” he said.

Mr Crisafulli referred to the cost blowouts for the ongoing Coomera Connector project throughout the debate.

But Mr Miles hit back at the opposition leader’s claims he’d deliver infrastructure on time and on budget despite the current high inflation pressure son budgets.

“The fact is everyone knows the cost of building has gone up,” he said.

The Premier then questioned his opponent on whether he planned to sack himself over “$16bn of unfunded commitments”.

Mr Crisafulli replied that if “you set a cost and a timeline for delivery”, then you have to deliver as planned.

“I know you want to put on a show but I want to talk to Queenslanders about their money,” he said.

Each leader had 60 seconds to answer the questions aimed at them before they were afforded the chance to ask each other questions.

Mr Miles took the chance to question the Liberal party‘ budget, prompting Mr Crisafulli to be more transparent about costings before early voting opened.

Mr Miles (right), and Mr Crisafulli were given the chance to question each other during the debate. Picture: NewsWire/ Dan Peled

Mr Crisafulli refuted this by claiming his plans were “fully costed and fully funded”.

“And ultimately, the tax plan will be released in full once all the announcements have been paid,” he said.

“And I want Queenslanders to know, respecting your money is one of the values that we will take into government if we are given the privilege of governing.”

For his part, Mr Miles told voters he was a “different Premier” from his predecessor.

“I’ve shown Queenslanders the type of Premier I’ll be if I’m given the chance to lead for another four years,” he said.

Meanwhile, Premier Steven Miles made his first gaffe of the state election campaign when he forgot his own candidate’s name despite being in her electorate at the time.

Mr Miles was asked why Labor’s candidate Susan Teder wasn’t at the press conference in Stanwell, about 25km south of Rockhampton, on Thursday.

But when Mr Miles said he’d “find out”, he was quickly asked whether he even knew who his candidate was.

After Mr Miles admitted he didn’t have that detail in front of him, Deputy Premier Cameron Dick, standing behind Mr Miles, came to his aid answering: “Susan Teder”.

“Susan? Yeah of course, it’s Susan,” Mr Miles said.

Mr Miles forgot the name of Mirani Labor candidate Susan Teder at a press conference despite meeting her days prior. Picture: Instagram

The question was sparked after Ms Teder missed the second press conference in two days.

However, it’s understood her absence is due to a recent death in the family, according to The Australian.

Mr Miles’s forgetfulness is even worse considering he’d campaigned with Ms Teder two days earlier at the election campaign launch in Mackay launching the regions three candidates – including Ms Teder – on Tuesday.

The electorate of Mirani is currently held by One Nation turned Katter’s Australian Party MP Stephen Andrew.

Originally published as Queensland Premier Steven Miles and LNP leader David Crisafulli debate ahead of October 26 election