Qld election 2024: Steven Miles, David Crisafulli face off in debate

Steven Miles and David Crisafulli will go head-to-head in the first debate of the state election campaign on Thursday night. Here’s what to look for.

Premier Steven Miles (right) and Opposition Leader David Crisafulli at a Courier-Mail debate earlier this year

Steven Miles and David Crisafulli will go head-to-head in the first debate of the state election campaign on Thursday night.

Moderated by Melissa Downes, Mr Miles and Mr Crisafulli will face questions from a panel of Nine’s TV, online and radio reporters.

It will be broadcast from 7.30pm on Nine.

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It’s the first time the premier and his challenger have gone head-to-head since The Courier-Mail’s cost of living debate in March.

Here's how that debate indicates what Queenslanders might see tonight.

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

Body language

Campaigning is tiring and both leaders need to be energetic pitching their message to Queenslanders.

At times during the cost-of-living debate Mr Miles appeared flat, while Mr Crisafulli maintained intensity.

This debate could give Queenslanders the first insight into how each leader is feeling about their chances on October 26.

How the leaders interact with each other and the aggression between the to will also be something to watch.

How they dress

Jacket and no tie, no jacket and a tie or the formal jacket and tie?

How the premier and opposition leader dress for the election debate can provide an insight into the personality they’re pitching to Queenslanders.

Mr Miles has played-up the suburban dad, man of the people persona while Mr Crisafulli has tended towards the serious statesman.

Being a television event, expect a suit and tie.

Historic attacks

This election should be about the future, but pay attention to the time Mr Miles and Mr Crisafulli spend talking about Campbell Newman and Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Labor is desperately trying to link Mr Crisafulli with his time in the Newman government, while the LNP notes Mr Miles was at the table during the Palaszczuk years.

This is to combat the premier’s comment that he “seeking a first term”.

Talking points

Moderators will do their best to get the premier and opposition leader – especially – off their well-rehearsed lines and delivering real answers.

Mr Crisafulli has stuck to a disciplined, critics argue small target, strategy and maintained focus on what he wants to discuss.

There are gaps in both party’s policy platforms that should be exploited in the first debate.

The gaffe

As we saw in the United States with the withdrawal of Joe Biden, a debate can sway an election.

They usually have a standout line and both leaders will hope it’s them who delivers it – for the better.

Don’t expect any wild Trump-like claims of migrants eating animals, but the stakes are high for Mr Miles and Mr Crisafulli.

They must be across detail and answer the question the first time.

Originally published as Qld election 2024: Steven Miles, David Crisafulli face off in debate