Queensland election 2017: Key issues on which poll will be fought

THESE are the burning issues on Queensland voters’ minds that will prove pivotal in the outcome of the November 25 election.

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THESE are the burning issues on Queensland voters’ minds that will prove pivotal in the outcome of the November 25 election:

Energy

The rising cost of power bills and the coal versus renewables debate is set to dominate the state election campaign as all sides of politics fight to show voters they can make the biggest dint in the cost of electricity.

Labor has already promised to hand voters back $50 a year for the next two years, along with other measures such as new rebates and interest-free loans for solar and batteries. It will fund those promises through the dividends it receives from its power companies. It has pledged to power half of Queensland’s electricity needs with renewable energy from 2030.

The LNP, on the other hand, has pledged to ditch the 50 per cent renewable target should it win government. Instead, it will build a new coal-fired power station in the state’s north.

ROADS, RAIL

Infrastructure will feature throughout the campaign. Labor has already pledged to fully fund the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project, while LNP Leader Tim Nicholls has pledged to build infrastructure based on community benefit rather than solely on what the business case suggests. Both sides will likely make pledges to reduce congestion on major roads.

Jobs

The 2015 election campaign was heavily focused on jobs, and this campaign is shaping up to be similar, with Labor and the LNP battling it out over who has the best plans to drive down Queensland’s unemployment rate. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was given a pre-election gift from the ABS this month when it released the latest jobs figures showing Queensland’s unemployment rate had dropped to 5.9 per cent. But her government has copped criticism for its public service hiring spree, which has seen it return to its pre-Newman government size. Mr Nicholls has promised not to repeat the cuts of the Newman era.

The regions

This election is shaping up to be a battle for the hearts and minds of regional Queensland as the LNP and Labor attempt to fend off a ballot-box assault from a resurgent One Nation. Both One Nation and Katter’s Australian Party are concentrating the bulk of their resources on winning regional seats. The major parties will essentially need to run two election campaigns – one to satisfy southeast Queensland and one to win over the bush.

Law and order

Labor, the LNP and One Nation have all released pre-emptive policies in the law and order space, including a boost to police numbers and changes to gun rules. Law and order is a perennial campaign battle front and this poll won’t be any different.

Cost of living

Another perennial campaign battleground. Voters will want to know how their political leaders plan to reduce their cost of living in areas other than just power bills, such as car registration, water and public transport.

Debt

With asset sales off the table, the pressure will be on for Queensland’s political leaders to show how they plan to tackle the state’s rising debt levels while also spending money on roads, hospitals and schools.

Originally published as Queensland election 2017: Key issues on which poll will be fought