What you said about David Crisafulli backing Qld to make call during disaster
Should people make their own decision during a disaster? Premier David Crisafulli says yes. HAVE YOUR SAY
Opinion
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Should people make their own decision during a disaster?
Premier David Crisafulli says yes, as do many readers in an online poll, in a clear break from Queensland’s Palaszczuk-era mandates.
Mr Crisafulli, at the helm of the first southeast Queensland disaster of the LNP’s term, steadfastly backed people to make decisions for themselves by arming them with all the information.
The government also left it to principals to decide when their schools reopened, declaring local decision-making was the best model.
This was in stark contrast to Mr Crisafulli’s Labor predecessor Annastacia Palaszczuk, who in March 2022 closed schools across the southeast and urged residents to stay home amid warnings of severe weather – only to apologise the next day when storms didn’t eventuate.
Mr Crisafulli, in a veiled reference to previous government crisis decision-making, said shifting to recovery mode was easier when local experts were left to decide what was best for communities.
“If you believe in people, you believe in local decision-making, always,” he said.
Griffith University political expert Paul Williams said Mr Crisafulli’s evidence-based approach through Tropical Cyclone Alfred would appeal more to educated inner-city and middle-class voters.
Ms Palaszczuk’s Covid-19-era leadership, which included hard border closures with no special considerations for events for funerals, appealed to the conservative Right, he said.
Readers, though, clearly favoured Mr Crisafulli’s approach, with many hailing him for his handling of the Cyclone Alfred crisis.
Others, however, claimed Labor would do things differently if armed with the same knowledge, while some insisted it’s still too early to make any grand claims.
In an online poll asking “Should people make their own decisions in a disaster?” about 86 per cent voted yes, with 11 per cent no.
See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>
WHAT YOU SAID
I like it
Vandemonian
Smart move – if the individual makes the wrong choice its their problem – DC and friends can rest with a clear conscious – another case of LNP’s all care and no responsibility policy
jim
I found it very refreshing how the Premier handled the crisis and was on hand when required and was constantly on the go. Different to the previous mob who held court at 9am with a cast of thousands all vying to get their head an the telly.
Bernie
Just recall how Labor claimed before the last election that Crisafulli would be a useless Premier. In this test of his leadership, he has done an excellent job.
Rosemary
Crisafulli was a breath of fresh air throughout the flood crisis, cool, calm, and collected he told us of what was going on and passed on all relevant information without a team of nodding puppets behind him
Not going to work
Peter
Giving individuals the power to make their own decisions, may work for some, but for many who don’t use common sense it will be a disaster.
Ross
If we had a government relying on the common sense of the population, routinely, we would not need a government. However, common sense is not very common – that’s why the adults need to be in charge.
Franklie
Some people just don’t have the intelligence to know when they are in danger. Good job DC
zDavidT
After 30 years experience in Disaster Managment it is simply unworkable to leave decision making to individuals.
PJ
There are decision best made at local level and there are decisions best made higher up the ladder.
The idea that only a few know best in all situations is not a good one.
Not sure what to think
John from Northgate
I’ll wait to see what happens in the future. A part of me sees indecision and lack of commitment. Hope I’m wrong
NCRWB
This is truly a creative piece of writing. Just last week, Crisafulli closed all schools for 2 days – no local decision-making, no “leaving it up to” individual principals.
richard
I totally disagree. A lot of lessons were learnt by everybody after covid and in particular what happens when you force a lock down. You cannot assume what Labor would do now
Ron
As per several news breaks coming through some people can’t be trusted and due to their incorrect decisions it puts our trusted police and their helpers in danger due to their behaviour
Too early to talk about
Jason
Who cares I’m still cleaning up
Steve
I haven’t started cleaning up.
Dutton’s Delcons
In July 2022 Palaszczuk was voted as the best Qld premier this century. If or when Crisafulli gets to that position then people will have something to write home about but NOT before.
Jason
I’m confused as we were told in one of his pressers to stay at home off the roads???
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Premier David Crisafulli’s approach to Cyclone Alfred was a far cry from his predecessor’s blanket closure approach that got her into trouble, most notably, in the 2022 floods, writes the editor.