Queensland election fight begins with Palaszczuk, Crisafulli video release in early pitch to voters
The starter’s gun has fired on Queensland’s election with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Opposition Leader David Crisafulli releasing slick campaign videos one year out from the state poll.
The starter’s gun has fired on Queensland’s election with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Opposition Leader David Crisafulli releasing slick campaign videos one year out from the state poll.
After weeks of growing internal concern that Labor is facing a wipe-out at next October’s election, Ms Palaszczuk released a video produced by her taxpayer-funded media team, spruiking her record on jobs and response to natural disasters and the Covid pandemic.
Ms Palaszczuk said she had “a lot more to do” and was “determined” to remain as leader to see out Labor’s plans, including the transition from coal to renewable energy.
“If you know me, you know I don’t give in no matter what,” she said in a voice-over.
“You give me that strength, every person who stops me with a kind word, every show of support on social media.”
Ms Palaszczuk also hosted an invitation-only event for her Facebook followers on Sunday morning, which one Labor MP called “bizarre”.
“It was 200 people who said nice things about her on Facebook,,” the MP told The Australian on the condition of anonymity.
“Not sure what the point of it was.”
The three minute campaign video, which includes family photos, notes Ms Palaszczuk’s family’s migrant history and her grandfather’s work ethic.
“He did the very best he could for his family and I want the best for every single family in this state,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“It’s why I got into politics.”
LNP deputy leader blasted the video in parliament on Tuesday as “very arrogant”.
“Interestingly I looked at it a couple of hours ago, there was 132 comments … only 15 visible comments, including two out of the 15 from Minister (Mick) de Brenni and Treasurer Cameron Dick,” he said.
“Queenslanders have worked out the Premier, worked out that she‘s checked out, she doesn’t have time for Queenslanders, she is not interested, she is only interested in the red carpet and announcements.”
LNP leader David Crisafulli’s campaign video hones in on crime, health and cost of living problems and features interviews with people impacted by ambulance ramping and youth crime.
“Queenslanders deserve much better than what we are getting at the moment,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“We are determined to put an end to the chaos and crisis that Queenslanders are living through.”
The video was released alongside a 23-page documents detailing LNP priorities if it wins government.
During Question Time on Tuesday, Ms Palaszczuk said:“ At least we produce plans, those opposite produce pamphlets”.
“We saw the little pamphlet over the weekend,” she said.
A spokesman for the Premier said her video was produced internally with no added expense to taxpayers.
“It is consistent with a range of information regularly communicated to Queenslanders,” they said.
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