‘God help us’: Qld pollies paid top dollar to battle and bicker

You paid 93 politicians some $200,000 in wages to battle and bicker for three days in parliament this week – so what did you get for it?

You paid 93 politicians some $200,000 in wages to battle and bicker for three days in parliament this week – so what did you get for it?

In short, not much. A debate to slice Queensland into two, travel tips from the environment minister, unhinged claims of secret deals, and slurs that were more at home in a high school playground than the chamber.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles during parliament sitting in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Steven Miles premier of Queensland, speaking during Question Time, Queensland Parliament, Brisbane City, on Tuesday 21st May 2024 - Photo Steve Pohlner

If this is what Queenslanders can expect in the 10 sitting days that remain for the year then God help us.

This week, under the guise of delivering for Queenslanders, the Miles government extended parliament’s sitting hours – but used it to pass farcical legislation enshrining coal royalty tiers into law. It was a political wedge, rather than anything meaningful.

Premier Steven Miles is desperately attempting to put distance between him and the chaos that engulfed Annastacia Palaszczuk in the last year of her reign. He’s had missteps, like rehiring former director-general Rachel Hunter after paying her $400,000to exit, and taking two jets on a caravan flight around Queensland. All-in-all, however, the government is more agile than Ms Palaszczuk’s.

While statewide polling points to a wipe-out, Labor MPs hold comfort in the feedback from their electors.

Ros Bates and Shannon Fentiman went head to head in parliament this week.

This is how the state election will be fought – hand-to-hand combat in 93 electorates. It’s what keeps the LNP awake at night.

While polling is positive, strong performances by popular Labor MPs could deliver a shock victory to Mr Miles – or at least a hung parliament. As the race tightens – which it almost certainly will – expect the nastiness and untruths to increase.

Originally published as ‘God help us’: Qld pollies paid top dollar to battle and bicker