State needs fresh start after dispiriting election race

While Newspoll suggests the Queensland election race is tightening, the state’s Labor government, after almost a decade in office, is on track to be banished on Saturday. Its atrocious legacy – a bloated public sector, reckless spending, soaring debt and lack of foundations to encourage business growth and improve living standards – is such that it does not deserve to be returned. Aside from Cross River Rail, mooted under Anna Bligh in 2010, there is a dearth of new infrastructure. Ambulance ramping and poor school results are endemic. Amid rising power prices, the state is far short of its renewable energy target. And after Annastacia Palaszczuk’s lacklustre premiership ran out of steam, Steven Miles’ accession in December 2023, at the behest of his Left faction mate, United Workers Union boss Gary Bullock, signalled a more dangerous new start. It involved torching public money like Queenslanders had never seen – non-means-tested $1000 power rebates, 50c public transport fares, state-run petrol stations and free school lunches for all state primary students.

While Newspoll shows the Liberal National Party ahead by 52.5 to 47.5 per cent on the two-party-preferred vote, the fact that Labor has made up ground late in the race, and that Mr Miles has overtaken David Crisafulli as preferred premier, is testament to the Opposition Leader’s poor campaign, in which he has taken his “small target” strategy to extremes. Voters are realising, no doubt, that while the LNP had a strategy to win office, its agenda is wafer-thin. It has not sought a mandate for the reform the state desperately needs, which would be a major handicap in government.

Mr Crisafulli and opposition Treasury spokesman David Janetzki have not put forward any semblance of a debt reduction plan. They have effectively run up the white flag, being prepared, during their first term, not to pursue the return of the state’s once-prized triple-A credit rating.

As Judith Sloan writes, the state’s fiscal position needs immediate attention. With government debt heading towards $190bn, it is probably only a matter of time before the AA+ credit rating is downgraded, leading to higher net interest payments. That, in turn, will impact on services or necessitate further borrowing.

A continuation of Labor’s failure on debt will also have serious repercussions for the nation. Our third-largest state is too big to fail. If Victoria is the nation’s governance and economic basket case, Queensland is not far behind. As David Pearl writes: “The Palaszczuk-Miles government’s record of fiscal mismanagement, while not as dire as Victoria’s, is clear for all to see. During its time in office, it has greatly expanded the state’s already huge public service, recklessly increased spending and allowed the state’s debt to balloon.” From here, the only way for the LNP’s fiscal management should be up, which will be made harder by the fact that Mr Crisafulli, in June, foolishly promised to implement Labor’s big-spending budget across the forward estimates – before he even saw it. He will need to stand firm in the face of public sector unions lining up to demand hefty wage rises, with a threat of strike action.

The campaign, as Newspoll suggests, has been dispiriting, dominated and sidetracked by the issues of abortion and conscience votes, which have proven to be a red herring. Progressives applaud Labor’s liberalising the law in 2018, and for its voluntary assisted dying legislation. Others disagree, vehemently. Both parties and most voters agree on the value of Labor’s coercive control legislation, protecting spouses and other family members from patterns of abusive behaviour. That is about where Labor’s achievements end. Yes, the party also secured the 2032 Olympic Games, but its approach to planning the event, and creating a worthwhile legacy of infrastructure, has been shambolic. That will be a major challenge in the new term.

Likewise, if he wins, will be Mr Crisafulli’s hardline “adult crime, adult time” approach to what voters recognise has become an increasingly serious problem. His strong stand on youth crime has won him widespread support across Brisbane and in the regions. Making the policy work in practice would make or break his first term.

As Queenslanders prepare to vote, they should consider the adverse impact of the Greens gaining a stronger foothold in inner Brisbane. Allowing the anti-Semitic, anti-prosperity protest party to make headway would undermine Queenslanders’ interests. Voters should preference them last.

In view of his ludicrous platform and bad record, it almost beggars belief that the gormless Mr Miles has had the best of the campaign, according to Newspoll. That should be a wake-up call to Mr Crisafulli, who, for all his lack of economic resolve, has more to offer through his pledge to “stabilise’’ debt than Mr Miles’ spendathon.