Queensland election 2017: LNP better than ALP at managing the state’s money Galaxy Poll finds

MOST Queenslanders believe the LNP would do a better job than Labor in tackling the state’s burgeoning borrowing, but more respondents believe Labor are better at creating new jobs.

Tim Nicholls, leader of the LNP which is rated the better money managers by Queenslanders in the latest Galaxy poll. Picture: AAP Image/Regi Varghese

MOST Queenslanders believe the LNP would do a better job than Labor tackling the state’s burgeoning borrowing bill, despite neither major party making debt reduction a policy priority.

A Galaxy Poll, conducted exclusively for The Courier-Mail, has asked voters about the hot topics dominating the campaign ahead of the November 25 election.

The results show Labor ahead on the critical question of jobs and dominating on renewable energy whereas the LNP is the frontrunner on debt and tax reduction.

Neither major party has convinced voters of their credentials on power prices, despite competing policies to cut electricity costs.

The poll comes as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has changed her campaign rhetoric from calling for stable government to asking Queenslanders to make their decision about trust.

Tim Nicholls, leader of the LNP which is rated the better money managers by Queenslanders in the latest Galaxy poll. Picture: AAP Image/Regi Varghese

Debt reduction was the dominant result of the poll taken late last week, with the LNP leading 51 per cent to Labor’s 19 per cent.

Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls has insisted “stabilising” debt was the LNP’s priority.

While overall debt will hit $81 billion in three years, Treasurer Curtis Pitt has dismissed the figure as “magical” because the interest costs aren’t directly covered by Queenslanders.

On cutting small business taxes, the LNP was ahead 47 per cent to 23 per cent.

With jobs so far dominating Ms Palaszczuk’s policy announcements in volatile regional electorates, the Galaxy Poll shows 40 per cent of voters believe Labor would create new employment opportunities compared to 34 per cent for the LNP.

Labor was most dominant on the question of increasing renewable energy – 44 per cent to the LNP’s 24 per cent.

The Courier-Mail Galaxy poll results.

However, on the question of power prices, 40 per cent of voters were uncommitted, ahead of Labor’s 32 per cent and the LNP’s 28 per cent.

The result is a clear indication that when it comes to energy bills Queenslanders have lost faith in all politicians.

Voters have been inundated with promises from both major parties, as well as the minors, with cost of living a crucial battleground.

Ms Palaszczuk has promised to divert dividends from state-owned power companies, saving households $50 annually.

Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls has committed to savings to households of $160 annually, partly by writing down the asset price of the government’s gold-plated poles and wires networks.

Labor edged out the LNP on the issue of roads and rail infrastructure, 39 per cent to 36 per cent, with both sides committing cash to tackle congestion on the M1 motorway.