Big political fights for 2021 – and QLD is the battleground

The must-win state of Queensland will be a big focus for both sides of federal politics in 2021, with battlelines drawn in one key area.

A BIG fight over industrial relations is shaping up as one of the major political battlegrounds of 2021, while Queenslanders should expect a big push from Opposition leader Anthony Albanese into the Sunshine State.

But the latest coronavirus outbreak in NSW leading to border restrictions with greater Sydney has likely cruelled the Labor leader’s plans for an early blitz into the must-win state.

He will also be busy formulating policy ahead of the Labor party national conference in March.

It is the second time border shutdowns have kept Mr Albanese out of Queensland for extended periods of time, with the leader having only been in the state for two days since March.

“Queensland is a critical part of Labor’s plan for jobs and economic growth, particularly when it comes to a revival of manufacturing, particularly in regional areas,” Mr Albanese said ahead of his flying visit to the state in December.

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese is expected to blitz Queensland in early 2021. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Wayne Taylor

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is also expected to make Queensland a priority for visits, where possible with border restrictions in the new year, with Tasmania and WA trips also on the cards.

Mr Morrison made two trips to Queensland in 2020, including a week-long blitz during the state election and a June trip which was cut short by the beginning of the Melbourne COVID outbreak.

It will be possible for an election to be held from August, but Mr Morrison has insisted he will be a “full-term Prime Minister” which would see the date in early 2022.

Industrial relations reforms up for debate exempting companies badly hit by COVID from the “better off overall test” for enterprise bargaining agreements, big fines for bosses who deliberately underpay their workers and cutting overtime for part-time workers if they work additional hours beyond their allocated shifts.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison faces a fight next year over industrial relations. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

They have already been branded “the worst attack since WorkChoices” by unions, while Labor is squaring up for a fight against aspects of the laws which could come back before Parliament as early as March.

Both Mr Morrison and Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter have indicated they will be willing to negotiate on the bill, with the changes to the better off overall test expected to be a key point of debate.

There will be attempts from the Morrison Government to diversify trade opportunities for industries struggling with continued trade disputes with China, while new trade deals are expected to be signed with the UK and European Union.