‘Can a 22yo who lives at home stand up to cuts?’: Young LNP candidate slammed

Labor union-fuelled attack ads criticising a young LNP candidate for living at home with her parents are all part of the election game, Premier Steven Miles says.

Ariana Doolan is being targeted because of her age and where she lives.

Labor union-fuelled attack ads criticising a young LNP candidate for living at home with her parents are all part of the election game, Premier Steven Miles says.

The latest election flyer has been endorsed and promoted by the United Workers Union and Labor heavyweight Gary ‘Blocker’ Bullock who helped broker a deal to install Miles as Premier.

Pamphlets and social media posts picturing LNP Pumicestone candidate Ariana Doolan, next to Opposition Leader David Crisafulli read “can a 22 year old who still lives at home stand up to cuts?” and prompts voters to back a more experienced candidate.

Mr Miles was asked on Friday whether the type of campaign messaging was fair for a young woman who could not afford to rent or purchase a property.

“I think lots will be said about lots of us, and you can’t be too sensitive in this game,” he said.

“You can’t expect us to have to answer for everything said by everyone in this game.

“A lot of things get sent on social media.”

The United Workers Union is targeting a young LNP candidate.

Quizzed on whether he thought the content was acceptable, the Premier deflected, saying it was a “third party campaign,” before lashing out at the LNP.

“I have seen Jarrod Bleijie and David Crisafulli launching their attack on Ali King, I guess, not surprising to see two middle aged white blokes attacking a woman trying to seek her own re-election,” he said.

Asked if Ms Doolan’s age and living arrangements deemed her unfit to run for office, Mr Miles said “not at all”.

“I don’t think it’s unreasonable to point out the life experience of a candidate.”

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon was aged 23 when she ran for the seat of Gaven, just one year older than Ms Doolan.

If Ms Doolan is successful in Pumicestone she will become the youngest elected member of parliament in Queensland history.

LNP candidate for Pumicestone Ariana Doolan at a press conference at Banksia Beach on Monday. Picture Lachie Millard