‘Deputy dog Miles will have to take the hit’: Early voting surprise as voters voice concerns

Voters in two southeast Queensland state electorates have surprised polling station workers, as many expressed scepticism over Labor’s election promises. VOTER VIDEO

Voters have been slow to cast their votes in two bayside electorates despite predictions of a rush to the ballot box.

Two early voting outlets in Redland city were quiet on Day 1 of early voting ahead of the October 26 poll.

Volunteers and politicians at Victoria Point Community Hall said they were surprised at the low turnout with numbers “well down” on recent council and federal elections.

Sitting MP Kim Richards (ALP) said she had expected the booths to be busier.

“It’s the slowest I’ve ever seen on the first day – I was expecting more people,” Ms Richards said.

An ECQ spokesperson said an approximate number of voters who cast their vote in the Redlands electorate as of 3.20pm on Monday was just over 1500.

“Across Queensland, about 118,000 electors have cast their ballot at the same time,” the ECQ spokesperson said.

With the most recent polling from Resolve Strategic finding the LNP holds 42 per cent of the primary vote compared to Labor’s 29 per cent, all 25 voters interviewed said they believed there was a “swing on” away from Labor.

Voters in Redlands said they were concerned about the cost of living, paying for the promises made by both major parties, the lack of planning for the Olympics and parking at the Redland Hospital.

It was a slow start to pre-polling at Victoria Point, which is in the seat of Redlands. Pictures: Judith Kerr

However, more than half (64 per cent) said they would not be deviating from the way they had always voted.

More than three-quarters (76 per cent) of those who answered our questions said they believed a raft of cost-of-living measures would not sway voters to put the Labor Party as Number 1 on their ballot.

Brian Jones, 71, retired of Victoria Point said he believed there was “definitely a swing on”.

“Steven Miles was the deputy dog when Annastacia Palaszczuk was in power and he let her take the bullets – but now he will have to,” Mr Jones said.

“Change is better than nothing because that’s all we have had at the moment – a lot of promises.”

Brian Jones at pre-polling at Victoria Point.

Andrea Bowden, 62, retired, of Victoria Point said she believed the Labor Party would struggle to maintain a majority rule.

“I don’t think either of the two major parties is great but Steven Miles has been forced to ride the wave of Annastacia Palaszczuk – and that wave is over,” Ms Bowden said.

“Steven Miles looks desperate and is just trying to buy votes with the free buses and lunches but I don’t think voters will fall for that.”

Andrea Bowden at pre-polling for the seat of Redlands.

Husband Gary Bowden, 64, also retired of Victoria Point said the government had neglected the electorate and planning for the Olympics over the past term.

“We’ve been lobbying for years for better recreational boating facilities and nothing has happened but yet we now have to pay for free school lunches,” he said.

“It’s hypocritical especially when nothing has been done in terms of planning for the Olympics because both parties are too scared to make a decision.

“It’s going to be embarrassing if we don’t have an iconic stadium ready to showcase Brisbane.”

Jessica Gowen, 36, a psychologist at Victoria Point, said all the campaigning had not changed the way she voted.

“I voted the way I would normally vote but I hope the polling so far is correct because economically, Queensland is not in a great place.

“Change is good and I think the LNP is looking at reducing crime which is a major problem at Victoria Point.”

Rodney and Pauline McAuley at pre-polling for the seat of Redlands. Pictures: Judith Kerr

The way the state government dealt with the Covid pandemic was also of concern for Rodney and Pauline McAuley, both of Victoria Point.

“The policies were very divisive and affected many small businesses and took away people’s rights,” Ms McAuley said.

Helen Ryan, 77, retired of Victoria Point said all the election promises including the 50c public transport fares, had not changed the way she voted.

“I don’t believe in the promises – I haven’t even used the 50 cent fares yet – but it would not change the way I voted anyway.”

An ECQ spokesperson said an approximate number of voters who cast their vote in the Redlands electorate as of 3.20pm on Monday was just over 1500.“Across Queensland, about 118,000 electors have cast their ballot at the same time,” the ECQ spokesperson said.