Extraordinary steps to avoid embarrassing Crisafulli on campaign trail revealed

A two-week analysis of David Crisafulli’s campaign has lifted the lid on the conservative party’s effort to stay on message and avoid unexpected incidents or embarrassment for the leader.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli pours a beer at Chute 1 pub, Longreach. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Secret flights and a tight control of interaction between David Crisafulli and ordinary voters are part of an extraordinary stage-managed campaign to avoid embarrassing the LNP leader.

A two-week analysis of Mr Crisafulli’s campaign has lifted the lid on the conservative party’s effort to stay on message and avoid unexpected incidents. His campaign team, led by former Nine journalist Rob Morrison, are limiting Mr Crisafulli’s interactions with ordinary, unvetted Queenslanders and keeping a tight control on his movements.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli’s election campaign is being carefully staged. Picture: Liam Kidston.

The man on track to be premier in two weeks has done one street walk during the campaign – a near-deserted Mackay street about 1pm on a weekday. He visited Westfield’s Chermside shopping centre alongside federal leader Peter Dutton before exiting through a side door.

Journalists following the LNP campaign have been left in the dark about travel locations. They’re simply ordered to meet a bus, usually between 5am and 9am, without any knowledge of the destination.

FOLLOW OUR COMPLETE ELECTION COVERAGE HERE

Plane tickets are written manually and flight details are redacted as an additional layer of “security” for Mr Crisafulli.

The locations of the leader’s media conferences are not shared out of fear they will be crashed by protesters, including the venomous Electrical Trades Union.

Media alerts sent out for LNP frontbenchers do not include their names, with security concerns again blamed.

LNP Leader David Crisafulli in Caloundra. Photo – Office of Opposition Leader

Media conference are also held in secluded or closed-off spots, including hotel conference rooms, the backyard of a hotel in Townsville, and inside a community hall in the Mt Gravatt Showgrounds. Mr Morrison was overheard declaring Mr Crisafulli’s involvement in sports as “risky” – with images of then-Coalition prime minister Scott Morrison barrelling over a soccer junior fresh in his mind. But even these impromptu media opportunities were controlled.

Rob Morrison is familiar with the types of unfortunate TV grabs that make it to air and is determined to not let his boss fall victim to political mishaps. The LNP leader was not allowed to don a netball bib in fear he would be branded with “wing attack”, or shoot for goal – in case he missed.

And he was not permitted to bat at a cricket club amid concerns he could be bowled out by a child.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli visits the Redlands Tigers Cricket Club. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli visits the Bribie Island Surf Club. Picture: Liam Kidston.

The leader has had to be instructed, against his adviser’s wishes, to pose by himself against the regional backdrops of his campaign, including stepping on to sand when promoting funding for Bribie Island’s Surf Life Saving Club.

His security detail thoroughly check each location as journalists wait – including on one occasion for up to two hours – for him to arrive.

While Mr Crisafulli does travel on the same aircraft as his media pack, he is yet to join them on the campaign bus.

To appease camera operators, he agreed to be filmed sitting on the bus briefly as it drove a mere 20m, before hopping off and getting into his own car.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles visits Caneland Central in Mackay. Pic: Adam Head

On the Labor bus, things are more transparent, with media alerts about Premier Steven Miles’s movements provided as usual and his staff willing to share general travel locations.

However, Mr Miles’s campaign features three media advisers, his chief of staff and several advancers and social media staff. He too has done few street walks to engage with ordinary punters.

His walk down Bulimba’s trendy Oxford St was littered with supportive constituents.