LNP’s David Crisafulli accuses Labor of being self-absorbed amid crises

The Opposition Leader says Queenslanders are feeling ripped off by the removal of a sitting premier.

The Liberal National Party is marvelling at the drawn-out leadership turmoil engulfing the state government and is privately hoping Steven Miles becomes the next premier.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli on Monday declined to be drawn publicly on the leadership contenders, insisting it would not matter while Queenslanders battled crime, health and housing “crises”.

“In the end it’s the same faces that have sat around the cabinet table for the entire time,” he said.

Privately, however, Liberal National MPs are marvelling at the leadership battle facing Queensland Labor as Deputy Premier Mr Miles, Health Minister Shannon Fentiman and Treasurer Cameron Dick fight for power.

One Liberal National MP declared the best outcome for the Opposition was the election of Mr Miles on Friday after a days-long leadership battle.

The MP said Mr Miles’ unconvincing attack dog position during the Covid-19 pandemic meant many voters had made up their minds about him.

“It’s not rocket science – they’ll make him out to be the family man, a suburban dad but the perception is set in, it’s a huge hurdle for him to change that,” he said.

A YouGov poll for The Courier-Mail in October showed the LNP leading Labor 52-48 on a two-party-preferred vote.

Mr Crisafulli led Anna­stacia Palaszczuk as preferred premier and Mr Miles was viewed as the best alternative to Ms Palaszczuk by just 10 per cent of respondents, according to the poll.

Mr Crisafulli on Monday said Queenslanders were feeling ripped off by the removal of a sitting premier.

“The common theme from people was a real feeling of being uncomfortable with the fact it was internal machinations of the Labor Party that made this decision,” he said.

“It should have been Queenslanders that got the chance to vote on who should be the next government and next premier, not undermining ministers and factional warlords.”

Mr Crisafulli said the LNP, which infamously waged a war against then-leader Deb Frecklington in the lead-up to her failed 2020 election, was “not going to go down the same rabbit hole”.

In a press conference at Margate on Monday, he argued that the government was too focused on itself.

“Within walking distance from here we’ve got people living in tents,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“In Townsville the last week has been the worst week for youth crime that city has seen in a long, long time.

“We’ve got a cyclone bearing down on the coast and the government is talking about themselves – can you believe it.” 

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie said Queenslanders should have been able to cast their vote against the government at the state election next October.

“The calculated, cunning Christmas coup came true,” he said.

“Queenslanders should decide who the premier of Queensland will be, not power-hungry ministers.”