Queensland election: Steven Miles and David Crisafulli face off in leaders debate

Latest polling reveals Queensland Premier Steven Miles will likely be saying farewell to the top job within 10 days as the election campaign heats up.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles could be losing his job as the state’s top politician if the polls are correct. Picture: Pool via NewsWire/ Dan Peled

Labor is looking at a humiliating defeat at the Queensland state election in just 10 days time, according to a new poll.

The majority of 1000 Queenslanders who voted early indicated they’d voted for the opposition Liberal National Party to lead the state for the next four years.

Voters were polled across at early voting stations in 10 seats statewide by The Courier Mail on Tuesday, with 48.2 per cent giving their primary vote to the LNP.

Labor trailed in second with 30 per cent, the Greens were in third on 9.4 per cent while One Nation pulled in 7.4 per cent.

Early voting is open and a number of centres across Queensland. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

Early voting opened on Monday, but the majority are expected to vote on election day on Saturday October 26.

Voters in the seats of McConnel in Brisbane, Greenslopes, Redlands, Springwood, Caloundra, Mackay, Thuringowa in Townsville, Rockhampton, Cairns, Gaven on the Gold Coast and Bundaberg were polled on Tuesday.

The latest polling follows September’s Newspoll, which saw the LNP likely to secure 42 per cent primary vote.

The LNP must win 13 seats to form majority government.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles could be losing his job as the state’s top politician if the polls are correct. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli is hoping to take over the role as state leader at the October 26 election. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

It comes as Queensland Premier Steven Miles and the man hoping to take his job went head-to-head in the second debate ten days out from the state election.

Mr Miles and LNP leader David Crisafulli were able to ask each other questions during the leaders debate hosted by the Queensland Media Club in Brisbane.

With about 620 people in attendance, the sold-out event heard from each leader before the floor was opened to questions to Queensland journalists.

Mr Crisafulli won the coin toss, affording him the chance to start the debate.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles and Opposition David Crisafulli faced off during their second state election debate on Wednesday. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

The debate was at times tense as Queensland Premier Steven Miles (right), and Opposition David Crisafulli sparred during the hour-long session. Picture: Pool via NewsWire/ Dan Peled

But it was his evasive response to questions on his abortion policy that stood out, with the LNP leader again refusing to refer to the possibility of a conscience vote if he is elected.

The Opposition Leader has been dodged the issue throughout his election campaign since key crossbencher Robbie Katter said his party would introduce a private member’s bill to wind back abortion rights.

During the debate, Mr Miles pointed out that his counterpart had been asked 131 times about his stance on women’s reproductive rights during the election.

In response, Mr Crisafulli said this would be the “132nd time” and he’s standing firm on the fact he’s previously said there would be “no changes”.

“I know my team and my team back it, I know the position we’re taking to the election,” he said.

“We are not changing the law.

“I’ve said privately, I’ve said it publicly ... it’s not part of our plan and there won’t be changes. That’s very definitive.”

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli says there won’t be changes to Queensland’s abortion laws. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

When pushed by media about whether he’d resign if the law was rolled back, similar to his promise to stand down if he doesn’t reduce victims of crime numbers, Mr Crisafulli again said “there won’t be changes”.

“If there were changes, I wouldn’t be a very popular person among Queenslanders,” he said.

“(The online debate) has been vitriolic, it’s crossed a line ... and I have ruled it out.”

While reminding voters he was the one to change the bill as health minister, Mr Miles challenged Mr Crisafulli again by asking: “Are you pro-choice or not?”.

“I spoke on that bill, he voted against it but did not speak on it,” Mr Miles said.

“Queenslanders can trust me because they know my positions.

“Are you pro-choice or not?”

But in a bizarre response, Mr Crisafulli opted to speak about waiting times for rape examinations in hospitals before being cut off by debate moderator, Queensland parliament Press Gallery president and 7News state politics journalist Marlina Whop.