ELECTION: 20 things you need to know before you vote tomorrow
ELECTION: IT’S almost time to head to the polls, but before you do, here are 20 things you need to know before you vote.
QLD Votes
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WE’VE had politicians dancing like chickens, law-breaking MPs and sign-stealing vandals.
It hasn’t been the longest campaign, but it’s been an eventful one for the Gold Coast.
At the Gold Coast Bulletin we have lived and breathed the election campaign, but it can be hard to keep up with all the craziness, so we have done it for you.
These are the top 20 things you need to know before you vote tomorrow:
QUEENSLAND ELECTION 2015: YOUR GOLD COAST ELECTORATE GUIDE
1. Ray Stevens dancing:
If you want to see Mermaid Beach’s chief busker Ray Stevens dance, don’t throw him a coin. Instead, just strike up a conversation about his involvement in the Cable car project.
2. Leadership battle
With Premier Campbell Newman potentially facing defeat in Ashgrove, LNP insiders are busily scurrying to find an appropriate backup leader. Surfers Paradise’s Veteran MP John-Paul Langbroek has one of the largest margins in the state and is a legitimate contender for the top job.
3. Verity Scandal:
If your license gets cancelled on your way to the polls, make sure you’re in the Broadwater electorate. LNP MP Verity Barton, who campaigned against hoons in 2013, has so far managed to escape charges for driving without a licence after failing to pay multiple fines. In Ms Barton’s defence, she apologised for the ordeal calling it an “oversight”.
4. Stuckey Portfolio:
Currumbin MP Jann Stuckey could be stripped of her tourism and Commonwealth Games portfolios after LNP heavyweights complained she had spent too much time squabbling with the Gold Coast City Council. A scathing Auditor-General report also criticised the lack of progress made towards the Commonwealth Games.
5. Key Stats:
A recent newspoll predicted a Labor swing of 10.1 on Saturday.
A swing of that magnitude would threaten several LNP seats on the Gold Coast including Burleigh, Gaven and Broadwater.
5. Gaven:
If you’re chasing action this Saturday head to the Gaven electorate. Signs have been stolen, vandalised and defaced while candidates have complained about aggressive campaigning techniques. Incumbent and independent MP Alex Douglas dramatically split with the LNP before joining the Palmer United Party late last year. The split was public and messy. The ALP hope to capitalise on the disjunction with Federal Opposition leader Bill Shorten campaigning in the months before the election was called.
6. Light Rail extension:
The LNP government has vowed to build stage two of the light rail project, however, they have failed to provide any completion time details or costings. The ALP has not promised to fund the extension if they win power. The light rail extension will provide the city with a crucial tram link to the heavy rail.
7. Exit 54 upgrade:
The LNP government promised to upgrade a crucial exit on the Pacific Motorway to open up the northern corridor. Motorists are forced to sit in gridlock traffic at Coomera to enter and exit the motorway during peak hours. The area has grown significantly in recent years and desperately needs the upgrade. The ALP has failed to throw support behind the upgrade.
8. Pork Barrelling:
Several LNP candidates have promised to fund vital community upgrades, but only if they are elected. Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek vowed to upgrade a school in his electorate and a further $2 million was pledged to key battlegrounds in Gaven and Burleigh electorates. Voters were not told why the projects were not funded during the previous term.
9. Burleigh:
Labor’s Gail Hislop will need a swing of 11.1 per cent to steal the seat of Burleigh away from LNP MP Michael Hart. The electorate is expected to be one of the closest battlegrounds on the Gold Coast.
10. Need an I. D:
A change to Queensland legislation means that voters are required to use an I.D to vote. If you do not have an I.D, you will need to sign a statutory declaration to identify yourself.
11. Behind-the-scenes:
Want to know what really went on behind-the-scenes when we gave candidates 15 seconds to pitch for your vote (watch video at the top or below). MP Ray Stevens politely declined to be involved after his chicken dancing fiasco earlier this month. As did ALP candidate for Coomera Brett McCreadie, citing he was ‘too busy’ for the 15 second pitch. Labor’s Mudgeeraba candidate Georgi Leader didn’t even bother returning calls and Albert MP Mark Boothman expected us to be his secretary (no thanks). Coomera MP Michael Crandon successfully managed to amazingly squeeze a lot into his 15 second pitch. But the nasty battle for Burleigh appeared to have made ALP hopeful Gail Hislop shy. She refused to walk near rival Michael Hart and instead appeared on-camera incognito wearing dark glasses and a cap.
12. Election Barbecue:
If you’re a first time voter you’re in for a treat. Elections are basically giant sausage sizzles. Avoid eating breakfast, wear stretchy pants and be sure to vote before the lunchtime crowds use up all the sauce.
13. Bikie laws:
The LNP is campaigning heavily on the notion that the bikies were driven from the Gold Coast by the Newman Government’s VLAD legislation. Gold Coast ALP candidates have supported the legislation for now. The anti-bikie laws will automatically be repassed in 2016.
14. Broadwater Marine Project:
Labor leaders have vowed to fight all development on Wavebreak Island. The LNP government has failed to provide clarity on their position on the Broadwater Marine Project before the election.
15. Broadwater Electorate:
Incumbent Verity Barton (LNP) will square off against Labor’s Penny Toland for one of the city’s most crucial seats. Ms Barton only has an 11.3 per cent margin and her driving shenanigans will do her no favours. Newspoll also predicts a swing towards Labor of 10.1 per cent.
16. Gaven Electorate:
Serial party-hopper turned independent Alex Douglas will attempt to hold his seat against well-funded LNP candidate Sid Cramp and Labor’s Michael Riordan. Sportsbet is paying $5.50 for Dr Douglas to retain the electorate and $1.85 for LNP’s Sid Cramp to win.
Dr Douglas must know something the political analysts don’t because he put $3000 on himself to win.
17. Biggest Swing:
Mudgeeraba recorded the biggest swing in the state at the 2012 state election with a 22 per cent swing towards LNP. The state’s largest seat, Coomera, was the second largest at 21.3 per cent.
18. Albert:
If you’ve come down with a case of election fatigue just head to the Albert electorate to vote.
Nothing has happened there in more than a decade.
19. Primary:
The biggest primary vote on the Gold Coast in 2012 went to John-Paul Langbroek in Surfers Paradise with 72.6 per cent. He was followed by Ray Stevens in Mermaid Beach with 65.1 per cent.
20. Where do I vote?
State Schools and community centres are generally fitted out with polling booths but a full list can be found here: ecq.qld.gov.au/2015QLD.aspx? id=11933. Polls close at 6pm
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