Qld government enters caretaker mode ahead of October 26 state election

The residents of one state will be heading to the polls at the end of the month to cast their votes for their next leader, with the official campaign now under way.

The first thing Queensland Premier Steven Miles has done in his official re-election campaign is remind voters his government brought in 50c public transport by taking a bus to Government House.

The Premier took the bus to the Governor’s residence in inner-city Rosalie, got the official nod from the Jeannette Young, and just like that the Sunshine State’s 26-day election campaign was officially under way on Tuesday morning.

The parliament has officially been dissolved, and the Labor and opposition leaders are already out and about across the state or on the way to the airport in Mr Miles’ case.

State Development Minister Grace Grace, Treasurer Cameron Dick, Premier Steven Miles and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman leave Government House after receiving the official writs that launched the 26-day state election campaign. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

Premier Steven Miles visited Governor Jeanette Young before the October 26 election campaign began officially on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire/ Adam Head

The Premier’s 50 cent public transport fares have been a major piece to his leadership, so popular the opposition has committed to making the prices permanent.

Mr Miles is headed for Townsville on Tuesday, and Opposition Leader David Crisafulli had already jetted to the key battlefield of Cairns on Monday.

The Queensland parliament is now in caretaker mode as voters prepare to head to the polls on October 26.

The Premier will be fighting for every vote to stay in power, 10 months after he was given the top job when former Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk resigned.

“I’m seeking a first term as Queensland’s premier, I want four years in my own right to deliver on the kinds of policies, the vision, that I have for our state,” Mr Miles said on Monday.

“I’ve had an opportunity to audition for the job to show Queenslanders what I would be like, and what I’m asking for on the 26th of October is a mandate in my own right.”

Queensland Premier Steven Miles has hit the official campaign trail, saying he hopes people will give him a chance on October 26. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

Queensland Labor has already committed to $4.77bn of election spending, including $548m for seven satellite hospitals across the state.

After committing to turning the six-month trial of the 50 cent fares into a permanent fare, Labor has budgeted $1bn for the rollout.

Meanwhile, Opposition and LNP leader Mr Crisafulli launched his official campaign in the marginal seat of Cairns on Monday.

His tough stance in his “adult crime, adult time” plan continued when he committed $50m for early intervention programs and another $50m to find intervention ideas from all over the globe.

Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli says he wants less people to become victims. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

“We have spoken a lot of the need for consequences for actions,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“But … we want to drive down youth crime before it begins.

“We want to have less victims in this state, and we are determined to make sure that those people who are providing early intervention can do so to deliver hope to young people.”

The LNP also committed to spending $207m in education funding, including adding an extra 550 teacher aides.

Originally published as Qld government enters caretaker mode ahead of October 26 state election