Queensland election 2024: Party leaders need to step up

OPINION: After less than a week of official campaigning, this is the message from voters to our party leaders. Don’t treat us as fools, start listening and providing answers and it’s time for detail.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles and Leader of the LNP Opposition David Crisafulli. File picture: David Clark

If LNP leader David Crisafulli and Labor leader Steven Miles truly want to win the state election they should take note of the following advice.

Queensland voters won’t tolerate being taken for fools, they can’t accept politicians who refuse to listen or answer questions, and they are deeply suspicious of any policy unaccompanied by details on how that policy is to be implemented.

This is not an anecdotal view of the Queensland electorate.

It’s the considered views of The Courier-Mail’s exclusive Voter Verdict – a group of 20 everyday Queenslanders sharing their honest opinion throughout the campaign.

These are genuinely undecided voters as selected by respected pollster YouGov and, today, they deliver their first weekly verdict of the campaign.

They are using phrases like “soft promises”, “lack of originality” and “neither of them is very impressive”.

The overwhelming desire from the group – more than likely reflected in the wider community – is for our leaders to provide more detail on their promises.

They want our politicians to give Queenslanders the respect of detailed, costed policies with realistic time frames.

Mr Crisafulli claims he has provided details and costings for his policies announced so far, but he has not – and everyday Queenslanders have noticed.

Mr Miles’ idea to set up a competitor to the state-owned Ergon Energy in a misguided bid to drive down power prices is also light on detail.

And while we’re at it, scare campaigns are not as effective as some political strategists might think. Labor’s union-backed advertising blitz suggesting the LNP in power would privatise health services is leaving a sour taste in many voters’ mouths.

Neither leader or party is covering themselves in glory.

But this election campaign still has three weeks to run and that is ample time for the fortunes of either side to change dramatically.

Amid the strategising, the messaging, the branding and the “cut through”, both sides might try to remember that honesty, integrity, plain-talking and listening are still the most powerful ways of attracting voters to their cause.

It’s evident from our Voter Verdict panel that Queensland voters are not fools, and won’t tolerate being taken for fools.

Voters deserve to go to the polls and not have to resort to casting their ballot for the party that has been slightly less underwhelming than the other.

They deserve to have confidence in who they are voting for. And they deserve real leadership

This is an important election ahead of what is going to be a defining period for this great state.

In eight years, the eyes of the world will be on Queensland during the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The government voters choose to put in power on October 26 will play a huge role in shaping the event and its legacy.

We are also in the middle of a cost-of-living and housing crisis. These are real issues, not political playthings.

Clear messages of intent delivered in unambiguous language and realistic appraisals of what can and cannot be achieved for the Queensland electorate are what voters are thirsting for.

The party that satisfies that thirst will be the party which will win office.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Melanie Pilling, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details are available at www.couriermail.com.au/help/contact-us