Qld election: Toowoomba South MP, LNP treasury spokesman David Janetzki faces dissatisfaction with voters as pressure mounts to release costings early

If the LNP wins next week’s election, David Janetzki is set to take charge of a $98bn budget, however as voting already begins he has failed to release the LNP’s full economic plan. A new survey reveals the discontent of his constituents.

 

Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki is reportedly the city’s least-liked sitting MP, as the state’s alternative treasurer faces renewed pressure to release the LNP’s costings for its election promises earlier.

If the LNP wins next week’s Queensland election, Mr Janetzki is set to take charge of a $98bn budget, however as pre-polling already opening up he has failed to release much detail about the LNP’s full economic plan.

Respondents to a non-scientific News Corp survey would let Toowoomba’s three sitting Liberal National Party MPs cruise back into office, despite high levels of dissatisfaction across the region.

More than half of respondents to the poll intend to vote for the LNP in Toowoomba North, Toowoomba South and Condamine on October 26, with Labor trailing behind on a paltry 23 per cent.

Around the electorates, there is a story of discontent among voters.

Overall, about 43 per cent of voters in the electorates of Toowoomba North, Toowoomba South, Nanango, Lockyer and Condamine were either very or somewhat unsatisfied with their respective MPs.

This statistic is the worst for Mr Janetzki, whose dissatisfaction rating pushes just past 50 per cent.

Shadow Treasurer David Janetzki hold a news conference outside Parliament House in Brisbane pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Mr Janetzki has recently faced questions about his lack of presence on the campaign, having not appeared with leader David Crisafulli since September 29.

He did speak at the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce’s election forum last week, but his role as the potential treasurer has so far failed persuade the opposition leader to visit the Garden City.

Mr Janetzki also rejected calls for him to release the opposition’s costings earlier to coincide with the start of early voting, but promised everything the LNP had pledged during the campaign would be funded.

Speaking to ABC Radio’s Steve Austin during a combative interview on Tuesday, Mr Janetzki said he was also targeting an operating surplus within the next term of government but didn’t articulate any new economic reforms apart from the already-announced pledges to abolish stamp duty for first homeowners and reintroduce a productivity commission.

“In respect of the costings, every opposition since time began has always released their costings after the final announcements,” Mr Janetzki said.

“We’re still working through a whole range of announcements and we’ve got a lot more to announce yet.

“Operating expenditure will always target an operating surplus, we know Cameron Dick has driven that $2.6bn into deficit and he’s just making it worse by all the additional promises.

“I do believe a fiscal deficit may be necessary if we’re borrowing to build … but I’ll be targeting an operating surplus within the budget cycle.”

Mr Janetzki rejected treasurer Cameron Dick’s invitation for a budget debate prior to October 26, instead arguing Labor was building its election pledges on further borrowings.

“What they’re proposing is state-owned medical practice, service stations, energy retailers, lunch programs — we’re talking about billions of dollars in ongoing operating expenditure,” he said.

“We’ve debated Cameron Dick for four years in the parliament, and if I’m honest not much there has made much sense.”

Closer to home, the LNP has yet to commit to fund the Toowoomba Regional Council’s single election item, that being support for the $270m Cressbrook Dam safety upgrades.

Mr Janetzki told News Corp he had continued discussions about the issue with mayor Geoff McDonald.

Survey: Weir ranks high with Condamine voters

The LNP vote in the non-scientific Chronicle survey is strongest in Condamine, where MP Pat Weir achieved the highest levels of satisfaction at about 60 per cent.

About 39 per cent of Toowoomba North respondents are unhappy with the performance of their sitting MP Trevor Watts.

In positive news for the three major sitting Toowoomba MPs, about 87 per cent of respondents who intend to vote for the LNP in October are either very or somewhat satisfied with their MP.

For voters most concerned about youth crime, 76 per cent are very or somewhat satisfied with their MP’s performance in the current term.

For other voters concerned about other issues like housing affordability, water security and roads, 59 per cent of people are very or somewhat unsatisfied.

Originally published as Qld election: Toowoomba South MP, LNP treasury spokesman David Janetzki faces dissatisfaction with voters as pressure mounts to release costings early