Voters realise inertia has a painful price

In times of uncertainty, voters tend to stick with the tried and tested rather than opt for change. Which makes it truly remarkable that only a third of the population currently intend to give their first preference to Labor.

IN times of uncertainty, voters tend to put their faith in the status quo; to stick with the tried and tested rather than opt for change.

Which makes it remarkable – and devastating for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk – that less than one in three Queenslanders currently intend to give their first preference to Labor.

YOUGOV POLL: Queensland Labor Government’s vote shrivels

Analysis: Why Palaszczuk can’t be underestimated

After more than five years in office, the Palaszczuk administration should be at the zenith of its power.

Theoretically it should be enjoying the fruits of having had five years to execute an economic agenda, combined with a bounce in support usually witnessed at a time of crisis.

But today’s The Sunday Mail/YouGov poll shows Queenslanders are disillusioned with the Government’s performance, with Labor on track for an abysmal primary vote of 32 per cent. The COVID-19 economic disaster is showing there is price to pay for the inertia which has characterised the Palaszczuk Government’s time in office – and this cost which will be measured in livelihoods.

Compared to other eastern states, Queensland was woefully unprepared for a downturn, with relatively high unemployment and a debt bill spiralling towards $100 billion.

As we live through a recession for the first time since 1991, voters will be asking what concrete economic achievements the Premier can really point to from her time in office?

Where is the large-scale investment and private sector job growth that would have helped cushion the state from the full devastation of the pandemic’s fiscal freeze? And having failed to make hay while the sun shone, can the Palaszczuk Government be trusted in tough times to deliver for Queenslanders whose livelihoods depend on the smoothest possible economic recovery?

The Premier’s judgment has also been brought sharply into focus. She has chosen a hard line and ruinous stance on state border closures and kept kids out of schools for weeks on end.

Yet, after an extraordinary few months where people quietly buried loves ones without either a crowd or complaint because they had been told such draconian measures were necessary, suddenly thousands of protesters were allowed to flood Brisbane yesterday.

The Premier, who talked so tough on issues such as having too many friends around to a home or heading out for a beer, offered only the softest of deterrence, saying ahead of the mass rally that she “would hope that people would respect the health advice”.

Her judgment call to keep a scandal-plagued Jackie Trad in Cabinet last year also came back to haunt the Government – with the Treasurer’s belated downfall coming right at the height of the COVID-19 economic fallout.

While the poll result is brutal for the government, it is also not a roaring endorsement of the Opposition. In fact, voters have had such a gutful of both major parties that one in three intend to park their vote with a minor party.

LNP leader Deb Frecklington is still to convince voters she’s would be an effective alternative – though nearly one in two is yet to make up their mind on her.

It’s now 21 weeks until Queenslanders decide who will lead the state until 2024. Between now and polling day both major parties must demonstrate they have a cogent economic recovery plan and the leadership necessary to realise Queensland’s potential.