Analysis: Steven Miles should be ashamed for not condemning union’s attack on LNP candidate

Steven Miles has refused to condemn his union’s attack on a 22-year-old candidate. So, Premier, when is it okay for a young woman to enter politics, asks state political editor Hayden Johnson.

Premier Steven Miles has refused to condemn the United Workers’ Union and MP Ali King’s attack on a young female LNP candidate. Picture: Adam Head

This election campaign has reached a new low with the United Workers’ Union and their MP Ali King attacking a young female LNP candidate for being too inexperienced to stand for politics.

Dispersed to residents of the Pumicestone electorate, the flyer claims 22-year-old LNP candidate Ariana Doolan “just isn’t ready” to have a career in politics.

It reads: “Does a 22-year-old who has never lived out of home have the life experience to deliver for us?”

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Unpacking this offensive piffle – firstly – many people live at home because of a housing shortfall exacerbated by Labor’s eight-year inaction in the sector.

Secondly, Queenslanders saw movement with a $3bn Homes for Queenslanders designed for young people like Ms Doolan to buy or rent a home.

Who released that policy?

The United Workers’ Union flyer attacking LNP candidate Ariana Doolan.

None other than the youngest female elected to parliament and now youngest-ever minister Meaghan Scanlon – who is also aligned to UWU.

Premier Steven Miles pointed out she has been exceptional, so will he condemn this ageist and sexist UWU attack?

No, because he notes “a lot of things get said on social media”.

This Queensland premier couldn’t seem to see the problem with the flyer and suggested any question about it should be directed to the third-party union – the same third-party that put him in the job.

It’s an especially poor response for a premier with a record of trusting and promoting young women who ran his office and are now running his campaign.

In this election Queenslanders have repeatedly heard Mr Miles and Mr Crisafulli fob-off tough questions as ‘matters for the party’.

As leaders of the parliamentary wing of their parties, it’s simply not good enough.

This union flyer was dropped to support their candidate Ms King, who in 2022 quoted Anthony Albanese’s comment that “it’s important young people be involved in politics”.

Mr Miles had a chance to order this ridiculous attack on a female candidate’s age to stop and admonish his close union colleague Ms King for pedalling it.

He didn’t do it.

So, Ms King and Mr Miles please let Queenslanders know: At what age is it okay for a young woman to enter politics?

Originally published as Analysis: Steven Miles should be ashamed for not condemning union’s attack on LNP candidate