Editor’s view: Budget reply is a missed opportunity for David Crisafulli
It is hard to see Opposition Leader David Crisafulli’s budget reply speech as anything but a missed opportunity – a timid tinkering around the edges of what needs to be done, writes the editor. What Queenslanders need is real leadership.
Opinion
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It is hard to see this budget reply speech as anything but a missed opportunity from Opposition Leader David Crisafulli.
The election is less than 16 months away, yet this was little more than a timid tinkering around the edges of what needs to be done.
Queenslanders are in the midst of three major crises, in health, housing and youth crime.
On top of those, we know the No.1 issue on voters’ minds right now is the cost-of-living pressures putting a bigger and bigger hole in their wallets.
While Treasurer Cameron Dick’s budget on Tuesday lacked vision, despite its $12.3bn surplus, Mr Crisafulli’s response was little better.
Small-target politics might be working this far out from an election, but what Queenslanders need is real leadership and they have a right to know what their politicians stand for.
Nothing less will stop the ambulance ramping, the hospital bed shortages, or address the root issues giving rise to the youth crime which has left people feeling unsafe in their own homes.
There is little to be inspired by in the budget reply.
Mr Crisafulli does try to make headway, at least addressing these key crises.
Making health data available online in near real-time would help Queenslanders make informed decisions about their health.
It is a policy this publication has continuously called for.
Appointing a victim of crime to the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council and appointing a Victims Commissioner could bring a different perspective to the justice system.
Mr Crisafulli promised to half-fund the Sunshine Coast Rail – but did not say whether he would take it all the way to Maroochydore or if he would fight for it if it falls victim to the federal government’s infrastructure audit.
But his commitment to grow community housing lacked detail, while ensuring maintenance takes place at power plants falls into the category of “government does job”.
But there is little here other than quick-fix solutions to political problems, not the genuine reform needed for real change.
Mr Crisafulli took aim at the government for endless ministerial reshuffles. Yet a significant portion of his own front bench held senior roles in the Newman government.
He, too, has a need for renewal of his front benches.
While stressing that voters have about 500 days to make a choice between “stability and chaos”, the Opposition Leader has done little to demonstrate sizeable policies that would shift the situation.
There is also a certain irony in him accusing the Palaszczuk government of being “more about big flashy announcements than actually delivering” – an almost word for word repurposing of Anthony Albanese’s criticism of the Morrison government.
As Queensland gets closer to an election, the Opposition Leader and his policies rightly come under increased scrutiny, as does the government itself.
Recent YouGov polling for The Courier-Mail shows about 40 per cent of voters are uncommitted.
They are not going to be convinced by small-target strategies, or little vision.
Queenslanders deserve better from its leaders.
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