Voters sceptical of union flyer warning of LNP hospital sell-off

Voters have slammed a union-backed flyer warning of LNP plans to sell a major hospital as “desperate politicking” with the sitting MP blindsided by the letterbox drop. See their reaction on video.

Nurse Niki Tomsett, who has worked at the Logan Hospital, said she believed the flyer was trying to instil fear and although husband Kent agreed it was using scare tactics, he said it was a good way to inform people. Basketball coach and support worker Simplice Ishimwe said it was childish and trying to buy votes. Picture: Steve Pohlner

A union-backed election flyer claiming the LNP would sell off one of the state’s busiest hospitals has sparked outrage among southside voters and surprised the sitting MP quoted in the material.

The United Workers Union flyer, stating “Don’t let the LNP sell off our hospital,” was circulated in the southside seat of Macalister, represented by Labor’s Melissa McMahon.

The Courier-Mail visited the Macalister electorate, which does not include the Logan Hospital, to gauge local reactions.

Voters near the Hyperdome expressed scepticism about the flyer’s claims.

Half believed it was merely a health scare tactic, and over 90 per cent deemed it “ridiculous” or “desperate” politicking.

An election flyer put into letterboxes in Macalister.

A third felt it would “backfire” on the union’s efforts to secure a Labor win.

Younger voters found parts of the flyer informative, particularly regarding public service cuts during the Campbell Newman government.

However, older residents, including Robyn Lewis, 75, were more sceptical.

“I don’t believe any new government would walk in and shut a hospital,” she said.

“This shows desperation.”

Sitting MP Melissa McMahon, who lives in the electorate, was taken aback by the flyer and clarified that there were no ALP plans to sell off the hospital.

“I had nothing to do with the flyer,” she said.

“I wasn’t involved in its authorisation, or the publishing or printing of it. I haven’t even seen the flyer and I live in the electorate, so it didn’t get into my letterbox.

“It would be a ridiculous idea to privatise such an important asset.”

Horticulturist Flynn Haack, 22, echoed similar sentiments, labelling the flyer as “seriously desperate politicking”.

“It would be hard to believe that any new government would sell off or close a hospital, but the LNP would probably try,” he said.

“I think the flyer would influence some people’s vote, but this is making both the ALP and LNP look bad – it’s dirty politics.”

Retiree Brett Schmidt shared his perspective, stating, “It doesn’t matter who wins this election, the winner will still blame the other side,” he said.

“It’s not going to change the way I vote because I have always voted Labor.”

Waterford sales assistant Yasemin Rose, 21, found the flyer “informative” for younger voters.

“It’s a bad thing to sell off a hospital,” she said but expressed concern about the flyer being “political BS” that should be banned.

Pet care assistant Taeja Edwards, 20, noted her expectations of “misleading propaganda” during elections.

“No government is going to sell a hospital,” she remarked.

“Anyone who bases their vote on one flyer has not done enough research.”

Chef Kent Tomsett, 36, saw the flyer as a potential source of information if its claims were factual.

He cautioned against viewing union statements uncritically, labelling them as scare tactics.

Logan basketball coach Simplice Ishimwe, 32, suggested the union’s approach to sway voters for Labor would likely fail.

“It’s childish, and voters already know who they are voting for.”

Originally published as Voters sceptical of union flyer warning of LNP hospital sell-off