Queensland election 2017: Labor’s term ends with more crises

THE Government ends this term in much the same way it began it – beset by an internal crisis of its own making.

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ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk is far from the first politician to put power before principle.

Keeping Member for Pumicestone Rick Williams in the Labor Party after an onslaught of issues was a decision borne out of necessity.

The loss of another member to the sin seats of the cross bench would have forced the Queensland Premier to call the election long ago.

Williams’ demise was brutally pragmatic. He wouldn’t have won so Labor made up its mind that it was better off without him.

Terminating Williams, in concert with Member for Rockhampton Bill Byrne’s ailing health, provided the perfect election trigger.

The Government can’t go on; a new mandate is required. Queensland can ill afford the uncertainty that will halt momentum of something or other.

It’s confected of course. Early elections almost always are.

But it’s no worse than fixing the Labor Party or saving the children, or the ill health of one MP in a majority government – some of the more risible reasons cooked up and served up to Queenslanders in the recent past.

It does mean, however, that the Palaszczuk Government ends this term in much the same way it began it – beset by an internal crisis of its own making following an unlikely election victory.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (right) and Deputy Premier Jackie Trad are hoping to gain majority status in the next Parliament.

Member for Cook Billy Gordon was given his marching orders early, just six weeks after Ms Palaszczuk was sworn in as premier.

Despite his disqualified driving and penchant for sending unsolicited penis pictures, it might have been Gordon who endured as the Government’s unwanted member had Williams been found out earlier and been sent packing first.

Such atmospherics, however, rarely haunt governments that call elections early. The public has usually been pump-primed for a poll anyway.

The frenetic nature of elections means Williams will be a one-day wonder in the ensuing campaign, when a kaleidoscope of issues will collide during 28 messy days of democracy in action.

Between the hell-raising renaissance of One Nation, malcontent regions on the march, the scare campaigns and off-script moments, Williams will be but a pebble beneath his old tow truck.

On November 25, the third day of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane, voters will make up their minds.

How Palaszczuk and the LNP’s Tim Nicholls perform, not who is and isn’t in their starting side, will decide this election.

Originally published as Queensland election 2017: Labor’s term ends with more crises