Analysis: Lacklustre, uninspiring launch sums up entire campaign

Eager to avoid any sense of triumph, the LNP left their bells and whistles at home for a subdued campaign launch. It summed up the last three weeks, writes state political editor Hayden Johnson.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli. Picture: Liam Kidston

Eager to avoid any sense of triumph, the LNP left their bells and whistles at home for a subdued, but symbolic, campaign launch in Ipswich.

Dripping in symbolism, David Crisafulli and 150 of his merry blue-shirt-wearing backers charged into Labor’s Ipswich heartland on Sunday.

Union protesters were waiting, chanting as each pair of RM Williams boots passed through police guarded gates.

Inside there was little indication this was a party on the cusp of a rare state election victory in Queensland.

Its campaign videos and music were largely recycled from the much more grandiose LNP state convention in July.

It suggests, as Mr Crisafulli has rightly pointed out, the conservative party is aware of history and afraid of being burned by it again.

Purposefully, there was no hint the LNP believed they have this election won. A week is a long time in politics.

There was a certain amount of cheek, however, in the launch being held deep within Labor heartland.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli at the LNP campaign launch. Picture: Liam Kidston

Ipswich held by Assistant Minister Jennifer Howard on a 16.5 per cent margin.

There’s talk within the government Ms Howard – whose short attempt to challenge sitting Labor MP Shayne Neumann for federal preselection made her few friends – could lose the seat.

It’s evidence of the sense Labor’s western Brisbane heartland is at risk.

Closer to the city Mount Ommaney MP Jess Pugh has ditched Steven Miles from her how-to-vote-cards.

Labor’s Bundamba, Jordan and Ipswich communities have been at the coalface of brazen crime, with the tragic death of Vyleen White in February still deeply troubling.

The LNP had a big by-election win in Ipswich West one month later when Darren Zanow rode a 17.8 per cent swing against Labor to win.

Labor and the LNP’s campaign launches have fit the tone of this three-week election.

Lacklustre, uninspiring and you can’t wait for it to be over.

Originally published as Analysis: Lacklustre, uninspiring launch sums up entire campaign