Qld politics: Social media the new battleground for parties

In the social media age the argy-bargy of Parliament has spilt over into cyberspace. These are the Queensland pollies who love to troll.

Queensland politicians have taken verbal combat outside Parliament and on to the streets, with an increasing number turning to social media to trade insults.

“Disgrace”, “embarrassment”, “goose” and “arrogant” were just some of the abusive terms the state’s elected representatives labelled each other on Facebook and Twitter.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles’s recent use of social media has generated frequent headlines.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Miles has used Twitter to attack state and federal LNP members, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and even then US president Donald Trump.

The Deputy Premier’s suggestion a coronavirus-positive Mr Trump should consider taking disinfectant drew widespread criticism and prompted calls for him to resign.

Mr Miles’s use of social media has been matched on the Opposition side by former attorney-general Jarrod Bleijie.

Have you considered intravenous disinfectant? https://t.co/4QutsVmEil

— Steven Miles (@StevenJMiles) October 2, 2020

Mr Bleijie has been unafraid to launch stinging attacks on Labor counterparts

This week he described the Deputy Premier as a “wet lettuce”.

However, like Mr Miles, Mr Bleijie has been denounced for his tweets.

In March Mr Bleijie, a staunch monarchist, claimed Meghan Markle’s tell-all interview with Oprah was an attempt to damage the monarchy because she “married the wrong prince”.

The Government accused Mr Bleijie of claiming Ms Markle was “a gold digger”.

In return, Mr Miles said Mr Bleijie was “just sad he can’t sparkle like Megan (sic) Markle”.

Griffith University political scientist Paul Williams said it was inevitable the partisan battle would spill on to social media.

“Politicians are always looking to fill the space,” he said.

“If you don’t fill it your opponent will, and politics in a social media age is about filling space.”

Dr Williams said there had been a notable increase in the severity of insults traded on social media, which he said could be the aim of a politician.

“What turns voters off is when it does reduce itself into mere slinging matches, but sometimes that’s done in itself to draw attention,” he said.

“If the media picks up a Twitter war between a Labor minister and a federal LNP politician, that could be why they’ve done it.

“It plays into the parochial nature of Queensland.”

Some say @StevenJMiles is Labor's chief attack dog.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

He's no Trad or Miller! More of a wet lettuce I think. #qldpolpic.twitter.com/r4CNlE7fEn

— Jarrod Bleijie (@JarrodBleijieMP) April 16, 2021

Dr Williams was unsure whether a strong social media following would translate into votes at the ballot box, but said the digital age had caused more harm than good.

“It’s enslaved us to imagery in politics rather than substance,” he said.

With 217,000 Facebook followers, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has by far the largest social media base across the Parliament.

Her reach over 20 times that of Opposition Leader David Crisafulli, with 10,000.

Mr Crisafulli, who was elected to the leadership in November, has a far smaller reach than his predecessor Deb Frecklington, who amassed 56,000 followers in her three years as opposition leader.

Ms Palaszczuk’s social media following has received a boost during COVID-19, with her almost-daily briefings broadcast to a large network.

A spokesman for Ms Palaszczuk said Facebook and Twitter were worthwhile tools.

“The Premier values talking to Queenslanders, and social media is one of the best ways for her to connect with them directly,” he said.

“Social media’s popularity makes it a legitimate communication tool that serves the needs of Queenslanders.”

The Opposition declined to comment on its use of social media.

Originally published as Qld politics: Social media the new battleground for parties