Voters in crucial southeast Qld seat Petrie could decide outcome

If the results of Quest Newspaper’s straw poll of 55 voters in the crucial Redcliffe-area seat of Petrie is replicated on May 21, Albo’s Labor team is in big trouble. SEE THE RESPONSES

Scott Morrison is far and away our preferred PM, almost everyone knows him and a clear majority trust the LNP over Labor — at least if you go by a straw poll conducted by Quest Newspapers in the key seat of Petrie.

The historic seat, created in 1949 and named after Brisbane’s first free settler, Andrew Petrie, started out as a safe Liberal hold but since the ’70s its voters have been swingers.

With just one exception, whichever party they have trusted with their vote has also won power in far away Canberra.

Despite the big polls showing ScoMo and the LNP are on the nose, with Labor resurgent, a random poll of 55 voters in the knife edge Kippa-Ring booth has revealed huge backing for the LNP.

When asked who was their preferred PM, 25 said Scott Morrison, with only eight backing Labor leader Anthony Albanese.

Only two could not name the prime minister and a clear majority (24 LNP to six ALP) trust the conservatives more on national security.

A clear majority also trusted the LNP more to manage the economy (23 versus nine for Labor).

Sarah Bell. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Unsurprisingly in an area which routinely comes near the top in surveys of mortgage stress and rental affordability, the cost of housing was the top issue, followed by health care.

With the vaccine mandate now scrapped, it barely rated as an issue in our straw poll.

Young Redcliffe mum and retail worker Sarah Bell, 25, said she didn’t really follow politics. But when pushed to answer some specifics, she revealed a preference for the LNP on key issues.

She said cost of living and the environment were most important to her.

Bev Pearman, from Redcliffe, rates disability support as one of her top issues.

Bev Pearman, 60, who recently lost her leg in an operation and had to stop work, rated disability support as important but also the environment, business closures and the Covid response.

“There is just no definites with politics, you never know what you’re going to get,” she said.

“When will they listen?” was her summary of “pig-headed” politicians.

Art store and studio owner Victoria Karey says the LNP are better at handling the economy.

Victoria Karey, 59, also of Redcliffe, owns an art store and studio.

She rated management of the floods, aged care and hospitals, particularly waiting times, as key issues for her.

Like many small traders, she trusted the LNP more than Labor on economic management and other issues.

“You can’t blame the government for the housing crisis,” she said.

Zoe Henderson, 42, a retail worker, said vaccine mandates were a major issue as they had caused businesses to lose staff.

She preferred the Greens on some of the major challenges facing the country.

“No one can get back on their feet. Someone’s got to get in between the two major parties,” she said.

“National security doesn’t factor into my vote.”

Ursula George says Labor is better on many issues and has no time for the PM.

North Lakes support worker Ursula George, 47, backs Labor and has a dim view of the Prime Minister.

“Nothing is ever his (Mr Morrison’s) fault,’’ she said.

“ScoMo — more like Scumo.

“He’s (Mr Albanese) the everyday man.

“The more I learn about him (Albanese), the better.’’