Editorial: LNP should step up – campaign is on

We understand the political benefit of being a small target, but it is time the Opposition Leader started to lift the veil, writes the editor.

It is very transparent and somewhat cynical, but at least Premier Steven Miles is actively trying to show he understands what Queenslanders are worried about – fronting up to a parliamentary inquiry to personally grill supermarket bosses, and being prepared to sensationally call for a cut in migration.

The Opposition is at the same time embroiled in a factional brawl within its state executive, and has been talking about renaming Cross River Rail in honour of Britain’s late Queen Elizabeth II – two issues that are certainly not top priority for the voters of Queensland.

Now, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has been disciplined and workmanlike in saying he is focused on the issues that matter: Crime, housing, health and cost of living.

Opposition leader David Crisafulli. Picture: Nigel Hallett

But pointing out the incumbent’s very real failures on these issues is one thing. What matters far more is explaining his party’s solutions to Queenslanders – and on that we are looking for far more from the man who could soon be premier.

We understand the political benefit of being a small target, and also the concern expressed often by Mr Crisafulli that any of the good ideas he announces could then be stolen by the government. But the election is now just 164 days away; we are nine-tenths of the way through this term. It is time Mr Crisafulli started to lift the veil.

But back to the Premier. After a few months of messy distractions caused by mistakes of his own making, Mr Miles is starting to show he is willing to take higher-profile risks to try and cut through on the issues Queenslanders care most about.

His rare appearance at Monday’s public hearing of the parliamentary inquiry into supermarkets is a good example. Mr Miles used it to deliver sound bites he clearly hoped would be attractive to the television news bulletins – at one point offering this commentary to the inquiry: “I think what Queenslanders would like to hear is a supermarket boss say: ‘We could have done better, and these are things we will do differently. These are things we should have done differently’ … My frustration is we don’t get to hear that.”

Don’t worry if you missed it – and Mr Miles’s demand of an apology from Woolworths chief commercial officer “to the Queensland families who have reduced their fresh food consumption because of those prices increases”. You can bank on the fact you will see it all again, and Mr Miles’s theatrical scowl, in a campaign advertisement soon.

Premier Steven Miles.

On immigration, too, Mr Miles is playing politics. Just as with fresh food price rises, there is a real need for questions and action on migrant numbers – that have soared since Covid, fuelling the housing crisis. But, just as with the supermarket inquiry, Mr Miles can sniff the political opportunity from his public demand of his Labor colleagues in power federally that migration levels be “moderated”.

But good on him. On these topics, and on his recent removal from law of the principle of detention as a last resort for youth criminals, Mr Miles is in lock-step with public opinion.

He has shown that, as the state’s leader, he is willing to act in line with the majority view, even if doing so causes him challenges internally.

Mr Miles probably needs a bit more experience around him – someone who could, for example, tell him that it’s a terrible idea for him and his police minister to travel in a private jet convoy for three days (as he recently did).

But it has been 1292 days since Queenslanders voted Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Labor Party into power for a third term, and for most of that time it has been a pretty ordinary government. Mr Miles is trying hard to turn that around.

It is a herculean task, though. The latest YouGov poll for The Courier-Mail found a 56-44 split in favour of the LNP – a result that would, if replicated across the state, deliver the LNP seven more seats than it needs for a majority.

But politics is a funny business, and there is still a long way to go.

Mr Miles is at least in the ring throwing metaphorical punches. Mr Crisafulli should get out of his corner and join him on the canvas.

MAGIC WEEKEND AHEAD

The decision to close Caxton St for the entire weekend of Magic Round from Friday is a great one.

The annual event where all eight of the NRL’s games are played at Suncorp Stadium (with the first game of the women’s State of Origin also there tomorrow night) is always a great festival of footy – when the entire city comes alive with NRL jerseys everywhere.

Closing the iconic party street that connects the city with the stadium will be a terrific addition to the party. We urge every reader – even if you don’t have a ticket to the sold-out three days of matches – to head along to Caxton St and enjoy the atmosphere.

As we report today, Magic Round delivers a massive return on the investment the state government and Brisbane Council make on it.

It is the biggest major event on the annual calendar in Brisbane, last year attracting 43,700 visitors to the city – who collectively stayed for a total of 123,000 nights.

The event in 2023 delivered a total economic impact of $41.1m, and those numbers will be even bigger this year – with the stadium again full for three days straight.

It’s no wonder they call it magic.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here

Originally published as Editorial: LNP should step up – campaign is on