Anna Caldwell: Three moments Michael Daley fell short
Gladys Berejiklian outstripped Michael Daley on the floor of The Daily Telegraph People’s Forum. His grasp of detail is what let him down and will raise questions in voters’ minds as they go to polling booths, writes Anna Caldwell.
Opinion
Don't miss out on the headlines from Opinion. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Two leaders, a battleground seat, and the dying days of a state election — it was always a recipe for a serious showdown.
This was a head-to-head that could not have been more crucial, with repeated polls locked 50-50.
Labor leader Michael Daley came to Penrith’s Western Sydney University campus shackled by a horror week after this paper revealed his anti-immigrant comments — but on the floor of the forum you couldn’t tell.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian came buoyed by a renewed confidence — but on the same floor some of that exuberance seemed to gradually fade away.
Berejiklian certainly outstripped Daley on detail at every blow, but he came up trumps on being relatable.
The member for Maroubra managed to weave his stories with personal anecdotes that were compelling and personal, often leaving Berejiklian behind.
ELECTION PODCAST: PREMIER STORMS AHEAD AS DALEY STUMBLES
His grasp of detail is what let him down and will raise questions in voters’ minds as they go to polling booths.
On three key moments of the night he came up short.
He could not say what he’s spending on education, TAFE or what he needed to spend to bring Sydney’s stadiums up to scratch.
What’s worse is that these are three key planks to his campaign.
It is all well and good to play to public sentiment and make people feel like he understands their pain, but those emotional entreaties fade away very quickly when you can’t back them up with the critical detail.
And on that, Berejiklian wipes the floor with him.
Daley, through this entire campaign, has battled on the front of credibility and trust. The government has fiercely tackled him on that front.
Daley was superior last night in making people feel he was listening to them, but he did nothing to show he was ready to govern.
Join the conversation
Carbon boy Bowen and his anti-Jimny jihad
The Suzuki Jimny has become a cult hit among Aussie drivers - but the Albanese government, through the agency of Misery Minister Chris Bowen, is seeking to penalise Suzuki for its sinful production of light, low-impact cars, writes Tim Blair.
Read more
England’s appalling display mars absolute Test classic
England’s display in the Test classic against India was appalling, and unsportsmanlike, writes Peter Jenkins. It just makes the upcoming Ashes more appealing.
Read more