Editorial: Dire result cannot be ignored by anyone among the Labor faithful
Hinchinbrook is hardly Labor heartland, but the party’s trouncing should nevertheless ring alarm bells, writes the editor.
The electorate of Hinchinbrook is not exactly Labor heartland – it is pretty well the opposite. But for the Labor Party to receive just 8 per cent of the vote in Saturday’s by-election there cannot be ignored by anyone who wants the ALP to return to power at any point soon.
Yes, Labor hardly contested this by-election – caused by the seat’s former Katter’s Australian Party MP Nick Dametto resigning to, successfully, contest the Townsville mayoralty. Indeed, the Labor Party spent less than $1000 supporting its candidate – long-time local Maurie Soars. But there have been plenty of election contests across the state over the past seven decades where Labor has spent even less, and yet still received a higher vote.
It is always a risk to read too much into by-election results. They are weird contests, in that they are isolated campaigns – unlike the contests in full general elections. But they are helpful as a general vibe check.
In this instance, the biggest take-out must be that this is a ringing endorsement of the LNP Crisafulli administration after its first year in office. And again, yes – there is more to it. The Premier is a proud born-and-raised Ingham product, the town the seat of Hinchinbrook is built around. No doubt there was a bit of home-grown pride in the 42 per cent primary vote the LNP received, well above the 30 per cent that the incumbent Katter’s Australian Party attracted.
And that brings us to the second take-out – which is the power of a strong and well-known local MP. Mr Dametto proved his local chops in the mayoral election held last month, where he received 60 per cent of the Townsville vote – a proper landslide.
But as important as those two conclusions are, the biggest impact from this result should be on the Labor Party. We will not hold our breath. Opposition Leader Steven Miles said all the right things yesterday, primarily conceding it was a further reminder for the party to wipe the policy slate clean after its loss last year (with him as premier) so as to set its sights on contesting the 2028 election.
But there were some nervous faces at Labor’s state conference yesterday, and more than a few willing to tell our journalists how this result should lead to a proper conversation about Mr Miles’s leadership future.
The reality is that powerbroker union official Gary Bullock – or “Blocker”, as he is known among the ranks of the comrades – still decides who should lead the party. And all signs are that he is sticking with Mr Miles.
Dig a bit deeper and you can see why. Deputy leader Cameron Dick is from the Right, and Labor’s factional mechanics mean he has no shot – as there are not enough MPs from Mr Dick’s faction in state parliament. The state caucus is dominated by the Left, and so the contest really comes down to one between Mr Miles, shadow treasurer Shannon Fentiman, and (perhaps) housing spokeswoman Meaghan Scanlon.
But putting aside the showtrials of leadership, another issue here is the way Labor is perceived in the regions. As the Great Australian Workers’ Party has been forced to confront the threat to its inner-suburban seats by the Greens, it has embraced policies that are not popular in the regional city seats it has traditionally dominated – a situation not helped in this state by the fact the caucus is dominated by those from the Left.
The result is the LNP winning most of them at last year’s general election – and the latest resurgence of One Nation’s vote, which was more than 13 per cent. There are plenty of questions to ponder.
A PIG’S TALE
It was one of the most infamous and hilarious moments in the long, storied history of Queensland’s home of cricket – the Gabba.
A pig, painted with the names “Botham” and “Eddie” (English cricketers Ian Botham and Eddie Hemmings) was released on to the field during a one-day match between England and Australia.
Today, 43 years later, cricket reporter Robert Craddock has finally uncovered the culprits behind the ham-fisted escapade.
Participants Graham Johnson and Ian Crawford have detailed for the first time how they hatched the scheme and smuggled the pig into the ground in an Esky.
The revelations come as the Gabba – the rightful home of the first Test of the summer – is getting ready to host the English team again this week in the highly anticipated second Ashes clash.
Thousands of English fans have already descended on Brisbane for the game after Australia wrapped up the Perth Test in only two days.
Showing Queenslanders enduring love for cricket, the first three days of the match have already sold out. Given the Australian team also enjoys playing at the Gabba – a venue they have not lost an Ashes game at in 40 years – the English might have a hard time saving their bacon once again.
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
Bolt: Albanese recognised Palestine for ‘promises’. None have been kept
