Opinion: Why Morrison is playing nice with Palaszczuk

Scott Morrison knows a political punch-on will only leave his polling bloodied in Queensland, writes Matthew Killoran.

It wasn’t a miracle but an astute political radar, targeted messaging and reaching out to forgotten Australians that delivered Scott Morrison the keys to The Lodge in 2019.

That same political radar has picked up a clear message – don’t go after Annastacia Palaszczuk in Queensland. The Labor Premier has never been more popular in this state.

After her competent handling of the pandemic, playing the populist border control card to her advantage and steering the state through two lockdowns, many Queenslanders trust her to keep them safe, even those who had never voted Labor before October.

Mr Morrison has picked up on that and knows a political punch-on will only leave his polling bloodied in the vital must-win state.

But those instincts have also spotted federal Labor’s weakness – regional and remote Queensland. If Anthony Albanese has any chance of taking the top job, Labor needs to hold at least one seat outside Greater Brisbane.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: AAP Image/Jono Searle

Despite insisting the election won’t be held until 2022, there is little doubt Mr Morrison was shoring up his vote with regional Queenslanders this week. He finetuned his language and delivery in each town, but the message was clear – you’re the lifeblood of the country, you carried the economy through the pandemic, you matter.

“In so many ways, it’s regional parts of this country that have been carrying this country,” he said in Gladstone.

It’s a message designed to make sure those soft One Nation voters who gave their preferences to the LNP last time don’t turn to Labor like they did at the state election.

Uncertain border restrictions mean it could be a while before the next state blitz, but Mr Morrison had a simple message: “You’ll be seeing a lot of me in Queensland.”