What you said about David Crisafulli’s flight time outstripping Steven Miles, Annastacia Palaszczuk

It’s the jet drama that has sparked outrage among Queenslanders. HAVE YOUR SAY

Premier David Crisafulli won’t reveal how many times he has flown commercially.

It’s the jet drama that has sparked outrage among Queenslanders.

New data revealed Premier David Crisafulli’s use of taxpayer-funded jets is almost double that of his Labor predecessors.

Mr Crisafulli has logged a whopping 46.3 hours of flight time between January and March — far outstripping former Labor Premier Steven Miles’ record 27.8 hours in a three-month period and Annastacia Palaszczuk’s 25.2 hours.

The LNP, when in Opposition, repeatedly attacked Labor for “living the high life” and “wasting resources” for its jet use during a cost-of-living crisis.

Now in government, they’ve argued the increased use of taxpayer-funded jets was to allow Mr Crisafulli to visit communities previously “left without a voice”.

The LNP launched scathing attacks on Labor ministers last year, calling Mr Miles “out of touch” with Queenslanders following his regional jet tour scandal.

Premier David Crisafulli in Cairns in January.

In June 2024, then-Shadow Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said: “While Steven Miles jet-sets around Queensland in private jets and his Ministers indulge in round-the-world junkets, Queenslanders are paying the price for Labor’s failures.”

A spokeswoman for Mr Crisafulli’s office said the Premier worked day and night, accusing Mr Miles of “rarely” visiting regional Queensland.

“Steven Miles had no interest in regional Queensland and rarely visited unless he was flying two planes to deliver birthday cakes for his Labor MPs or shoot glossy election ad campaigns,” she said.

The issue caused a rift among readers, many claiming Mr Crisafulli was simply undoing the damage caused by Labor.

Others, though, insisted there remains wider issues, while some said the use of the jet was fraught with danger.

More than 60 oer cent of readers in an online poll said the state should be more transparent about the Premier’s jet use.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

Not a problem

The Original Better Half

Difference is he is WORKING- not delivering a birthday cake.

Cheryl

Good. At least he is putting the plane to good use and going to ALL of Queensland, it’s about time we had a Premier who works for and visits our regional cousins. Well done David Crisafulli

Therese

He is doing a great job getting around this big state to speak with the people...so I don’t care if he racks 5x the hours of the previous premier.

Letitia

I don’t have an issue with DC using it at all. Amazingly enough he actually works and I’ve seen more positive action for this state in less than a year than a whole decade under labour

A Cessna Citation was used for several of the Premier’s flights.

Wider isses

Cathryn

I don’t know if you noticed but Qld suffered a series of natural disasters in LNPs first few months of government. If the Premier was not present you would have crucified him. Damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. Also, he is transparent about giving all of QLD representation, not just the SEast corner.

V of R

My view is that to rectify 30 years of Labor incompetence and wasteful spending, any amount of travel is warranted. It is a massive job to recalibrate the mess that The ALP has created.

Greg

I think it’s quite normal in the first year of getting things organised. He has a massive task cleaning up after Labor. I’m sure his travel will settle down.

Arthur

I would have thought he would have accumulated more flying hours as “a whopping 46.3 flight hours in three months” only equates to about half an hour per day.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli during a visit to the Our Space facility in Rockhampton in January. Picture: Supplied

What a joke

MJBOY

Endless selfies in pubs and coffeee shops working? Really.

John from Northgate

Crime still an issue and haven’t seen or heard of any kids getting adult time yet.

Ketut

Crime on the gold coast has increased since his election.

Just Ask any GC police officer, the real facts .

We all remember his election promise , if crime does not come down , he will step down.

Lets see if Mr Crisafulli is a man of his word and honour

Ozi

The use of private jets will always be contentious when there is regular Qantas or Virgin flights to the same destinations. If the Premier wants to be seen as a man of the people he would be wise to occasionally use passenger jets and be seen to mix with ordinary people who vote for him. Continued use of private expensive jets will always come back to haunt him.

Originally published as What you said about David Crisafulli’s flight time outstripping Steven Miles, Annastacia Palaszczuk