LNP Leader Tim Nicholls is Labor’s secret weapon in next election
LABOR has an unexpected weapon to woo voters in regional Queensland at the upcoming election – LNP Leader Tim Nicholls.
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LABOR has an unexpected weapon to woo voters in regional Queensland at the upcoming election – Tim Nicholls.
ALP sources said a key election strategy would be to highlight an LNP victory would install Mr Nicholls as premier – with Labor polling suggesting the Opposition Leader is not trusted in regional Queensland.
The Courier-Mail understands some LNP MPs and candidates are privately trying to get Deputy Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington to campaign more in their seats rather than Mr Nicholls.
But the LNP will target the Palaszczuk Government’s lacklustre record in office, rising electricity prices and internal divisions within Labor.
It comes as speculation heats up that an election could be called within weeks, putting the poll later this year. An election must be held by May 5 2018.
ALP state secretary Evan Moorhead said the Opposition Leader had been running a small target strategy to distance himself from the unpopular former Newman government.
“Tim Nicholls is just like Malcolm Turnbull, an inner-city Liberal who is incredibly out of touch with regional Queensland,” he said.
“He’s desperately trying to run from his agenda as Newman’s treasurer.”
LNP campaign director Lincoln Folo said he expected Labor to go negative with its campaign because it did not have enough achievements to stand on its record.
He said voters cared more about the issues affecting the state such as rising electricity prices.
“That’s what you would expect from a Government that does not have an agenda for Queensland,” Mr Folo said. “They have got no record to stand on.”
Regional Queensland is expected to be key to the outcome of the election, with cities such as Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton still suffering from the downturn in the mining and resources sector.
The struggling cities – along with the Wide Bay region – are expected to be hot spots for One Nation support. The discontent with the major parties in regional Queensland provides Pauline Hanson’s party an opportunity to win seats in the next parliament.
Mr Folo said the LNP was mindful of issues important to One Nation voters.
“We acknowledge their concerns about economic security,” he said.
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