Qld election 2020: Jackie Trad in dramatic interview walkout

Embattled former deputy premier Jackie Trad has walked out mid-interview while being questioned about her potential return to cabinet. It comes as former LNP MP Jann Stuckey has made a shock call ahead of the October 31 election.

Embattled former deputy premier Jackie Trad has abruptly walked out mid-interview while being questioned about her potential return to cabinet.

While being interviewed by Sky News in South Brisbane, reporter Julia Bradley asked the sitting South Brisbane Labor member why the premier had ruled out any chance of her returning to cabinet.

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“I said quite clearly I wasn’t going to return. I’m totally focused on making sure that I’ve got a fighting chance (to win South Brisbane) regardless of the odds stacked against me,” she said.

Before Ms Bradley could finish her next question, Ms Trad abruptly finished the interview with: “Thank you very much.”

Earlier in the week, premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Ms Trad would not return to cabinet should she retain her seat, only for the state’s leader be met with union powerhouses telling her that’s not her decision to make.

The former deputy told the reporter earlier in the interview she didn’t want to return to cabinet anyways, because it had been “a pretty rough year” on her and her family.

Ms Trad, who has been cleared of two Crime and Corruption Commission investigations, holds the marginal seat of South Brisbane by 3.55 per cent.

It’s widely touted the Greens could pick up the seat at the October 31 election, with the LNP preferencing Labor last.

Follow the live election blog below for all the latest from the campaign trail.

Live Updates

4:01 pm October 16, 2020

Asset buyback not in plan: Palaszczuk

torny.miller

After announcing yesterday that her government was trying to buy back an asset that was sold by the Bligh government, Ms Palaszczuk confirmed today they had no plans to reclaim more of them.

The Government revealed on Thursday that it had started negotiations to buy the old Aurizon workshops in Rockhampton, which were sold by the Bligh government in 2010.

Ms Palaszczuk confirmed they had no plans to buy back more of those assets, as she pledged her government would not sell any exisiting ones.

“We have said very clearly we will not sell Queensland’s assets,” she said.

“We have Deb Frecklington at the moment who has $24 billion worth of unfunded commitments.

“She has said herself, and her shadow treasurer, that they will reach a surplus.

“You cannot get to a surplus unless you cut or you cut services or you sack people.”

– Jack McKay

4:00 pm October 16, 2020

Sunshine Coast: Labor announces money for stadium

torny.miller

Annastacia Palaszczuk has launched a two-day blitz on the Sunshine Coast, as Labor tries to snag several key seats in the traditionally blue ribbon region.

The Premier today announced her government would put $20 million towards Stage 1 of the Sunshine Coast Stadium redevelopment, as she also campaigned on an existing road upgrade.

Labor’s commitment matches the pledge made by the LNP earlier this year.

Labor is eyeing off at least two seats on the Sunshine Coast, including Caloundra held by outgoing LNP MP Mark McArdle with a margin of 3.4 per cent.

In her pitch to local voters, the Premier accused the LNP of taking the Sunshine Coast for granted as she talked up Labor’s plan to spend $35 million to accelerate construction of Bells Creek Arterial Rd.

“A lot of people are moving into this area around Baringa here,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“My government has invested heavily in this area – a brand new primary school… and a high school under construction that we visited earlier this year.

“We’re expecting over the next five to ten years around 100,000 extra people who will move into this area into the Sunshine Coast.”

The road project will be funded through borrowings.

– Jack McKay

3:58 pm October 16, 2020

Free tampons, pads at schools: Palaszczuk

torny.miller

A re-elected Palaszczuk Government will provide vending machines with free tampons and pads at 120 schools across Queensland.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the partnership with Share the Dignity on Twitter on Friday afternoon in which she said all schools, including independent and Catholic schools, could register to be a part of.

"Sanitary products aren't luxury items – they're a necessity," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"Providing free tampons and pads gives students the dignity they deserve, and helps them feel more confident and stress-free during their time at school.

"In addition, all Queensland schools will be able to access the Period Talk educational program and resources.

"Better education around menstruation will reduce stigma and help identify cycle-related physical and mental health conditions earlier."

– Jessica Marszalek

2:20 pm October 16, 2020

LNP promises agricultural 'game changer'

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Deb Frecklington says a Liberal National Party government would double the value of Queensland’s agricultural production by 2035.

The LNP leader on Friday unveiled a small step towards meeting the target, announcing $14m funding towards a disinfection facility at Brisbane’s fruit and vegetable market.

The facility would enable produce wholesalers to scan and sterilise exports without chemicals or pesticides.

“The LNP have an aim to double food production in Queensland,” Ms Frecklington said.

“It is important that we support the supply chain, the farmers, the truckies, the packers, the wholesalers, the retailers, or whether you’re the mum and dad going shopping.

“It is all about making sure that we grow this economy.”

Ms Frecklington said Queensland’s leading unemployment rate was proof that Labor could not be trusted with the economy.

She rebuffed criticism from Treasurer Cameron Dick, who mocked the LNP’s plan to lower the state’s unemployment rate to 5 per cent.

“The Labor party have got no budget and no plan to get us out of this recession,” Ms Frecklington said.

“We know that they don’t believe in aiming towards a target and they certainly don't believe in supporting the agriculture industry, which really is the backbone of Queensland.”

Brisbane Markets Limited Chairman Tony Joseph said the disinfection facility would be a “game changer” for Queensland’s produce exporters.

“The establishment of a state-of-the-art disinfection facility at Queensland’s only wholesale marketing and distribution hub will be a game changer in facilitating future growth in the volumes of fresh produce being exported,” Mr Joseph said.

– Charlie Peel

10:45 am October 16, 2020

Crisafulli: Townsville residents 'waiting with baseball bats'

Caitlin Smith

Townsville residents are waiting with “baseball bats” to get action on crime, Opposition Tourism and Environment spokesman David Crisafulli has said. 

Delivering a serve to Labor over a dirt sheet dug up on LNP’s Mundingburra candidate Glenn Doyle, Mr Crisafulli said the community didn’t care about “half decade old Facebook posts”. 

Mr Crisafulli, himself a former Mundingburra MP during Campbell Newman’s term, was in his old stomping ground on Friday announcing an elected LNP government would fix up a pothole-riddled road on Magnetic Island. 

The now Gold Coast-based MP has been lending his support in the region in the past few days, including door-knocking in what was his former electorate .

Mr Doyle has sustained days of controversy over Facebook posts he made on his personal page that were perceived to question the virtue of women’s education and another that linked famine and death as being good for the planet. 

Asked what he thought of the negative campaign against Mr Doyle, Mr Crisafulli said that was politics but people in the community did not care about social media dirt. 

“I spent two hours door knocking in my former electorate yesterday… you want to know how many people raised (the Facebook posts)? Zero,” he said. 

“You want to know how many people spoke to me about crime and the living hell that is their life, dozens and dozens and dozens.

“And I've got a message for the local members, keep focusing on your gutter attacks, because they are waiting with baseball bats because you've done nothing about crime, people are angry, they're angry because no one has stood up, they're angry because the local members have made it all about themselves.”

– Madura McCormack

9:42 am October 16, 2020

Former Currumbin MP urges Labor vote

Caitlin Smith

EX-Newman Government Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey’s hatred of her old party has been laid bare, with the veteran former Gold Coast LNP MP urging local residents to vote Labor ahead of the conservatives in the October 31 state election.

Ms Stuckey resigned from Parliament in February after 16 years as the member for the southernmost Coast seat of Currumbin.

She accused the LNP of bullying her and lashed the candidate parachuted in to replace her in the marginal electorate, barrister Laura Gerber, saying the party had wanted ‘any skirt’ to stand.

Ms Stuckey and her GP husband Richard later resigned from the LNP, and Dr Stuckey is now standing as an independent in Currumbin.

The former MP this week wrote to Currumbin’s 30,000 constituents to inform them that her husband was running in the seat, enclosing his media statement and how to vote card.

Labor candidate Kaylee Campradt – who narrowly lost the March by-election for the seat to Ms Gerber – is preferenced second on the how to vote card behind Dr Stuckey.

Ms Gerber has been placed a distant sixth on the list of eight candidates, behind No.5 pick Anna Palmer – wife of mining tycoon and frustrated former politician Clive Palmer.

Ms Stuckey also asks Currumbin residents to help out her husband on polling day ‘if you are able to spare a few hours’.

Dr Stuckey said he was standing to raise awareness of specific health issues, including voluntary euthanasia laws, and to advocate on local projects including connecting the heavy rail to Gold Coast Airport.

“During my wife Jann’s time as the state member for Currumbin, I have joined her on countless campaigns to fight for important projects and to support local issues,” he said.

– Greg Stolz