Jarrod Bleijie refuses to face Cameron Dick stating ‘time for debating is over’

The deputy opposition leader has claimed Queenslanders only “want to hear from the leaders” when it comes to election debates, after refusing to battle it out with Labor’s deputy Cameron Dick.

Deputy opposition leader Jarrod Bleijie has claimed Queenslanders only “want to hear from the leaders” when it comes to election debates, after refusing to battle it out with Labor’s deputy Cameron Dick.

While announcing the LNP’s plan for the Sunshine Coast’s heavy rail in Maroochydore on Wednesday, Mr Bleijie was asked how seriously he took his position in Queensland’s leadership team after refusing to face up to The Courier-Mail’s deputy leaders’ debate on October 24.

The publication responded by asking readers to vote on a cardboard cutout of the deputy opposition leader to stand in his stead.

Mr Bleijie responded the deputy premier wanted to “make this election all about himself” and that the “time for debating Cameron Dick is over”.

“I’m on the ground every day talking to real Queenslanders about the right plan for Queensland’s future,” Mr Bleijie said.

When pressed on his refusal, Mr Bleijie said Queenslanders wanted to hear from Premier Steven Miles and Opposition Leader David Crisafulli as opposed to the party’s deputies.

“Voters have the chance to vote for a leader, the premier and opposition leader have three debates during this election cycle and voters want to hear from the leaders, that’s the leaders, the premier and the opposition leader,” Mr Bleijie said.

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli denied he was worried about whether his deputy could “hold his own”, or that he was concerned Mr Bleijie’s stance on controversial topics including abortion and voluntary assisted dying wouldn’t align with his own.

“And my strong advice to the deputy leader is keep doing what he’s doing,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“Today he’s in Caloundra speaking about the next step in our plan to stop the gridlock in that community.”

He urged his deputy to “use every minute of his time to speak to real Queenslanders, not Cameron Dick”.

Mr Bleijie the LNP would deliver the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line all the way to Maroochydore in time for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympic Games.

The pledge comes after the state government revealed in February the heavy rail line would only reach Caloundra by 2032 due to cost blowouts, stopping short of the closest proposed sporting venues in Kawana.

Mr Bleijie, however, maintained the project was achievable if the LNP was elected later this month.

“We've talked to industry who build these things, and they have said the original commitment of rail to Maroochydore by 2032 is achievable,” Mr Bleijie said.

Both, Mr Bleijie and Maroochydore MP, Fiona Simpson, were repeatedly asked how they would vote on repealing the state’s abortion laws.

Ms Simpson and Mr Bleijie stated multiple times changes to the existing legislation “was not part of our plan”.