Editorial: Annastacia Palaszczuk missing the vision thing

Annastacia Palaszczuk has pipped Peter Beattie in a poll on Queensland’s best premier this century, but there’s an important area where Mr Beattie has the advantage.

As people and as politicians, Annastacia Palaszczuk and Peter Beattie could hardly be less alike.

Asking voters to compare the two, therefore, is a tough ask.

But the fact that, according to our exclusive YouGov poll, voters rate Ms Palaszczuk higher (just) than Mr Beattie when asked to nominate the better premier shows that despite a year of drama, the current occupant of the plushest office on level 40 of the new executive building on
1 William St still has something that Queenslanders are drawn to.

And indeed that has been the secret to Ms Palaszczuk’s electoral success – Queenslanders just like her.

It is why political opponent after political opponent (both from opposition parties and within her own) have underestimated her, and why no matter what the bookies say she will be hard to defeat at the next state election in October 2024.

Her everyday persona appeals to Queenslanders. She has a keen sense of what actually matters to them.

And she has proved that now three times at the ballot box.

Mr Beattie, meanwhile, remains our state’s iconic political showman.

His style was the polar opposite of Ms Palaszczuk’s naturally reserved nature – swimming in a shark tank as a distraction was just another day at the office for premier Beattie.

Another big difference between the two is Ms Palaszczuk has proved to be as slow to apologise or accept responsibility for a problem as Mr Beattie was quick to when, between 1998 and 2007, he occupied the best office on level 15 in the old executive building on George St.

This stubborn nature means Premier Palaszczuk tends to first try to ride out political firestorms – believing the public will eventually move on. Mr Beattie’s strategy was to say sorry and promise an inquiry.

But the biggest difference in the way the two have approached their time as the state’s leader has been when it comes to real vision.

Mr Beattie was ridiculed for his obsession with supporting and investing in what then seemed nothing more than a futuristic buzzword – biotechnology.

He backed this vision by rebranding the Sunshine State as the Smart State – even controversially, briefly, changing our number plates.

It all seemed at the time to be little more than an eccentricity.

And yet today, 15 years after Mr Beattie left politics, we are now a world leader in this important industry.

These two Labor heroes aren’t exactly best of friends.

Nonetheless, Ms Palaszczuk should today reflect on the Smart State success and start to consider what her legacy will be.

WE MUST HEED C.H.O.’S WORDS

Queensland Chief Health Officer John Gerrard continues to give practical and measured advice in the face of a worrying third wave of Covid-19.

While Dr Gerrard conceded on Wednesday the state had “never experienced anything like this”, he reassured Queenslanders that hospitals would cope with the peak.

And he addressed talk of mask mandates with a firm: “We will not be implementing public health mandates, such as mandating mask wearing.”

Instead, he advised people to take personal responsibility for their wellbeing, including the elderly and vulnerable, who he said should seriously consider wearing a mask in crowded places until the end of August.

And more importantly – he strongly advised those who are eligible for their booster shots, whether it be the third or now the fourth jab, to just go and get it.

Less than half of Queenslanders aged over 65 are up to date with their Covid jabs, Dr Gerrard revealed. He said the majority of people in hospital fit into that group.

This should not be happening. We have had fair warning that this disease can be deadly for vulnerable people.

More than 2000 health staff are currently furloughed because of the pandemic, with 705 Queenslanders being treated in hospital for Covid-19.

More than 100 people are also being treated in public hospitals for influenza – and it will get worse.

The next three to four weeks, and perhaps longer, are going to be difficult for Queenslanders.

Queensland is indeed lucky to have someone with the clinical background and assured calmness of Dr Gerrard to guide us through.

But it is also up to each and every one of us to do the right thing.

If you’re eligible, get your next shot.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here