LNP leader takes the title of more arrogant

THEY are both seen as decisive and strong, and to have a vision for their state; and they're basically likeable.

THEY are both seen as decisive and strong, and to have a vision for their state; and they're basically on the same page when it comes to being likeable.

But Queensland voters are split on who is the more arrogant between Premier Anna Bligh and the man who hopes to take her job on March 24, Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman.

The nod goes to Mr Newman, who is judged as arrogant by 61 per cent of voters, against 48 per cent for Ms Bligh, according to an exclusive Newspoll for The Australian.

The personal comparison of the two leaders -- with Ms Bligh looking to ink her name in the history books by winning a sixth successive term for Labor at the state election, and Mr Newman attempting the feat of being elected premier from outside parliament -- rounds out a fascinating snapshot of the opening phase of the campaign.

Ms Bligh remains reasonably popular, according to Newspoll, although more voters are dissatisfied with her performance as Premier than approve of it (41-50 per cent respectively).

Mr Newman's performance rating is net positive, with the Newspoll conducted over February 3-15 finding that 45 per cent approve of the job he does as leader of the LNP, against 37 per cent who do not.

As to who would make the better premier, voters plump for Mr Newman over Ms Bligh by 44 per cent to 40 per cent. It is worth noting, however, that Ms Bligh's personal numbers have been moving up, while Mr Newman's have eased from the highs he logged after announcing his switch from Brisbane City Hall to state politics 13 months ago.

Asked to assess the leaders' personal traits, 78 per cent of voters agree that Mr Newman has a vision for Queensland, against 74 per cent for Ms Bligh.

She is seen as slightly more decisive and strong, leading Mr Newman 79-77 per cent, and is perceived as more likeable, 73-69 per cent over Mr Newman.

The LNP man gets the tick for being more in touch with voters, 69-62 per cent over Ms Bligh, and is seen to better understand major issues, 77-72 per cent over the Premier.

He is seen as slightly more trustworthy, 65-62 per cent, than Ms Bligh but she opens up a solid lead on him on the question of experience, with 87 per cent of voters agreeing Ms Bligh is experienced against 72 per cent for Mr Newman.

The arrogance ranking will concern the LNP campaign team, given that the conservatives see complacency bred by the party's strong showing in the opinion polls as their next biggest threat after the Labor Party.

About 61 per cent of voters agree Mr Newman is arrogant, against 48 per cent for Ms Bligh, who has been playing the "underdog" role for all it is worth. According to a special breakdown of the Newspoll results, men are much more likely to to dissatisfied with Ms Bligh than women, and the opposite applies for Mr Newman.

Yesterday, he was brought back to earth by a female voter who confronted him outside a coffee shop over his choice of the seat of Ashgrove, in Brisbane's inner west, in which he does not live, to leapfrog into the premier's job.

Pauline Stephens expressed her surprise that he was "running from outside against someone very active like Kate Jones", the incumbent Labor MP. "Why not, why not?" Mr Newman said, struggling to get a word in.

Ms Stephens, fresh from the gym to grab a morning coffee, proceeded to criticise Mr Newman over his track record as lord mayor.

"Geez, he's got a hide," she said, after interrogating him over his audacious bid to run from outside parliament.

Later, a relaxed Mr Newman chuckled and said he was practised at being on the receiving end of a political heckle.

"I can remember many exciting, colourful moments as lord mayor of Brisbane . . . That's what democracy's all about and I'm sure there'll be lots of that in the campaign."

Asked whether Ms Stephens might have tapped a vein of support for his opponent in Ashgrove, Mr Newman said: "I'll have to wait and see."