David Crisafulli’s message for Ingham voters as he faces hometown heat

David Crisafulli’s campaign stop in his hometown of Ingham hit a bump today when he was pressed on why many voters there don’t seem to like him much at all.

LNP leader David Crisafulli’s campaign stop in his hometown of Ingham hit a bump when he was pressed on why many voters there don’t seem to like him much at all.

While the Opposition leader spoke of his love for the rural heartland, a straw poll of Ingham voters in the Hinchinbrook electorate this week revealed they are largely in favour of incumbent KAP MP Nick Dametto over the LNP and its leader.

Despite being Ingham’s native son, Mr Crisafulli copped some tough criticism from local voters — even from someone claiming to be distant family — who said they didn’t trust him with their vote

As he headed off to Ingham from Townsville with a bus full of journalists in tow on Thursday, Mr Crisafulli was grilled on why his hometown support appears so lukewarm.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli during media conference outside Cleveland Youth Detention Centre, Townsville. Picture: Liam Kidston.

He responded by playing down the criticism, saying the LNP was trying to serve every part of Queensland, not just those in his hometown.

“I’m going there today because the people in Ingham matter as much as the people in Longreach and the people in Townsville, and I’m trying to get across as much of the state as I can,” he said.

“My only message to the people of Ingham is, if you want change, you’ve got to vote for it.

“We’re putting forward a credible candidate, a former police officer.

“We’re putting forward a really good plan for agriculture.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli during media conference outside Cleveland Youth Detention Centre, Townsville. Picture: Liam Kidston.

“It’s an area I know, it’s an area I love, and I really hope that people vote for change.”

Crisafulli’s trip comes amid escalating tensions with KAP’s Nick Dametto, who has taken multiple jabs at the LNP leader during the election campaign.

Mr Dametto has criticised the LNP over the messaging on their how-to-vote cards in Ingham and a TV advertisement suggesting that Katter’s Australian Party can’t be trusted on crime.

When asked if he believed his ongoing feud with Mr Dametto might be alienating voters in Hinchinbrook, Mr Crisafulli reframed the question, warning of the consequences of the status quo.

“I just want people to consider that if they vote for what they’ve got, they risk four more years of Labor. In contrast, I’m offering change a fresh start,” he said.

Originally published as David Crisafulli’s message for Ingham voters as he faces hometown heat