Premier Steven Miles confident Don Brown can defeat Russell Field

Premier Steven Miles insists his Labor MP who once labelled crime a “media beat up” can defeat grieving father Russell Field in a must-win bayside seat.

• Grieving dad’s election campaign

Premier Steven Miles insists his Labor MP who once labelled crime a “media beat up” can defeat grieving father Russell Field in a must-win bayside seat.

Mr Field – who lost son Matt, pregnant partner Kate Leadbetter and their unborn baby Miles when they were mowed down by a drunk and high teenager in a stolen car in 2021 – will run for the LNP in Capalaba.

Labelled a strong candidate by Opposition Leader David Crisafulli, Mr Field will run against Labor MP Don Brown in the seat won by the government at nine of the past 10 elections.

The selection of Mr Field and ongoing community angst about crime, however, could see Mr Brown’s 9.9 per cent margin come under significant threat.

Mr Miles remains confident Mr Brown, who as the government’s chief whip is tasked with keeping MPs in line, will win Capalaba on October 26.

“It’s a seat where there is a strong Labor support base, where we have delivered a lot over the last 10 years and we have really strong plans to deliver even more,” he said.

“A lot of people in Capalaba remember what happened last time the LNP represented them and none of those memories are good.”

Don Brown - Picture: Richard Walker

New LNP candidate for Capalaba Russell Field at Alexandra Hills. Picture Lachie Millard

Mr Brown in August last year labelled crime in Queensland a “media beat-up”, prompting a rebuke then from Mr Miles, who declared it a “stupid thing to say”.

Mr Field said delivering consequences for kid criminals would be the focus of his campaign.

“There is no reason these kids want to stop because they get a slap on the wrist,” he said.

“They’re back out again tomorrow.

“The people of this state have got to stand up and make a decision and come next month and the idea is okay, make a decision for themselves, because you never know, one day those individuals may well be the next victim and I can tell you for a fact, it’s not nice.”

The 2021 tragedy sparked widespread fury over the government’s inaction on youth crime as it emerged the teenager had a lengthy criminal history, including more than 100 offences, and had finished a probation order for other offending just weeks before the horror crash.

He was later sentenced to 10 years in jail for manslaughter, but will be released on Australia Day 2027 – despite the Attorney-General’s attempts to appeal for a longer sentence.

Mr Crisafulli was optimistic Mr Field would win the seat,

“Through the tragedy that he has experienced, he is driving change for his community and for the state,” he said.

“Imagine having someone like that around the decision making table when it comes to listening to people about the changes that are needed in the Queensland youth crime crisis.”