Massive misstep for Deb Frecklington

Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington’s attempt to explain just how different she is to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk backfired big time. This is what she should have said, writes Renee Viellaris.

OPPOSITION Leader Deb Frecklington initially had the right instincts – set the agenda and tell voters why she was different to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

It is a hard slog to cut through as Opposition Leader.

So it made sense to continue building her brand and get people talking. It is true that some voters mistake the pair. They are a similar age, build and both have dark hair.

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Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington. Picture: Steve Holland

But Frecklington’s attempt to explain how they’re different has backfired. And her media team – as well as herself – are to blame.

Instead of attacking the Premier’s choice of clothes and all-but calling her “Barren Sharon”, this is what Frecklington should have said to Kylie Lang in The Sunday Mail: “Why am I different? I’m different on substance, on policies and on values.” Then explained how.

It is harder for female leaders because the scrutiny can be applied to meaningless things – think former Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the attacks on her earlobes.

Also, male politicians don’t need to explain why they are childless, while female leaders with an unused uterus are pressured into a tell-all.

This is not the first time Frecklington’s media strategy has come undone and with an election looming, the LNP has a tough fight ahead. There are two things parties must achieve to win government.

One, they must tap into an electorate’s sense for change. That exists in parts of Queensland. Secondly, the alternative must be palatable or the current leader must be detested. The electorate is getting fed up with Palaszczuk’s inertia on issues but she isn’t despised.

Frecklington needs to get her skates on if she’s to show voters she is ready to govern.