Queensland election 2017: Pineapple politics blog with Des Houghton

SURELY Queenslanders wouldn’t be silly enough to vote for the Labor Party again, writes Des Houghton.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in Brisbane today, after The Courier-Mail published opinion polls indicating she was ahead. Picture: AAP/Dan Peled

• Labor in line for victory
• Nicholls’ embarrassing slip-up
• Rolling election coverage

SURELY Queenslanders wouldn’t be silly enough to vote for the Labor Party again, would they?

Apparently so, if you believe the opinion polls.

There is disenchantment with the leaders of both major parties. Nevertheless the voters have put the lacklustre Premier and her error-ridden Cabinet in a winnable position.

However, the LNP under Tim Nicholls can sneak home for a surprise win on the back of One Nation preferences, despite a rather timid campaign.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in Brisbane today, after The Courier-Mail published opinion polls indicating she was ahead. Picture: AAP/Dan Peled

In my opinion Palaszczuk’s Labor simply doesn’t deserve a second chance. Who could forget the soaring power bills, traffic chaos, a rail debacle that left vulnerable travellers stranded at the station, and a fiscally illiterate Treasurer who has let the state debt soar? Who could vote for a party that tolerates union corruption?

Annastacia Palaszczuk is a chronic underperformer with key Cabinet ministers under an integrity cloud.

She offers nothing but new taxes and a continuance of the union protection packet that has blighted business.

Queensland Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls has challenged Palaszczuk to explain the “missing millions” in Labor’s election pledges. Pictured: AAP/Tracey Nearmy

To claim victory the ALP will have to win seats like Mansfield, Mt Ommaney, Burdekin and Toowoomba North.

Nicholls, meanwhile, has challenged Palaszczuk to explain the “ missing millions” in Labor’s election pledges.

He said Labor’s costing strategy relies on an $800 million cash raid on Government departments — in addition to Labor’s $1 billion reprioritisation program.

“This is just a cash raid on large departments such as health, education, communities and transport,” he said.

“It means less cash to deliver frontline services.

“There is funding only for 400 police in Labor’s costings — not the 535 police they promised on October 28 to match the LNP’s commitment.

“On November 12, Labor promised $50 million for the Townsville to Mount Isa rail line but their costings include only $10 million — that’s $40 million missing.

“On the Gold Coast, Labor promised $206 million to widen the M1 from Varsity Lakes to Tugun and $25 million to upgrade exit 57. But there is only $55 million in Labor’s costings — $176 million missing.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk has lied and misled Queenslanders.”

Originally published as Queensland election 2017: Pineapple politics blog with Des Houghton