Qld election 2020 live blog: Annastacia Palaszczuk won’t comment on possibility of minority

Annastacia Palaszczuk today would not say what her plan is if Labor fails to secure the majority it’s seeking from Queensland voters at next weekend’s election.

Annastacia Palaszczuk today would not say what her party’s plan was if Labor doesn’t secure the majority it’s pleading voters for, instead warning Queenslanders there was too much at stake for a minority government.

An exclusive Newspoll has today revealed a hung parliament is looming ahead of the October 31 poll, with Labor and the LNP to potentially swap marginal seats.

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Both the Premier and Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington have ruled out doing deals with minor parties in the event of a minority government.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks at a press conference after she officially opened the Northside Indoor Sports Centre in Zillmere. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Ms Palaszczuk again urged Queenslanders for a majority today.

“This is a really important election,” she said.

“There is too much at stake here.”

The Premier reminded Queenslanders of the “lifestyle that they are enjoying”.

“We are the envy of other parts of the world at the moment because we are able to enjoy our lifestyle when other people are locked in their homes, unable to go out and unable to meet up with family and friends, unable to go to pubs and clubs because of the second and thirds waves of COVID,” she said.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the polling revealed just how close the election was.

“It is literally on a knife edge,” he said.

“And it’s especially close because we have everybody lined up against us.”

Updates

12:40 pm October 24, 2020

Labor commits $7.5m to extend junior sport program

Caitlin Smith

A re-elected Palaszczuk Government will splash $7.5 million on extending its FairPlay vouchers that cover sign-on sporting costs for kids. 

Speaking in Labor’s ultra-marginal seat of Aspley (1.17 per cent), Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it would benefit some 50,000 kids.

Under the scheme, the State Government offers $150 vouchers to help pressured families cover the cost of sport. 

“Because of Queensland’s strong health response, we were able to safely get kids back out on the field, playing sport with their friends,” the Premier said. 
“Many families rely on FairPlay vouchers, and it’s important that everyone has a chance to play.
“The vouchers also support clubs to stay open for training to put teams on the field, which means employing locals to help manage club operations."
Bart Mellish holds the seat of Aspley, which is Labor’s fourth most marginal seat in Queensland. 

– Domanii Cameron