Analysis: Leaders’ final pitch, now it’s over to you Queensland

Steven Miles finally nailed his one question to David Crisafulli, but might not have bargained on the response, writes state political editor Hayden Johnson.

They eyed the contenders, summoned their voice and stood up in front of the nation to demand answers – punters delivered the best this campaign.

Two times in the past three-and-a-half weeks Steven Miles and David Crisafulli have stood in the same room to take questions from journalists.

This time they were forced to wriggle out of the campaign bubble to be grilled by 100 ordinary Queenslanders.

For a man polls indicate will have substantially less responsibility come Sunday, Mr Miles was exceptionally calm.

He took his first sip of water 52 minutes into the one-hour debate

The premier allowed the more polished Mr Crisafulli to sprout well-rehearsed lines that didn’t take too long to fall flat with the room.

The salesman opposition leader at times fell into these scripted slogans at the expense of a plain-speaking answer for the punters in the room.

Mr Crisafulli’s closing argument started with a grandstand that he was able to “unite my team” in the past four years – an odd achievement to include.

After missing the mark in the Queensland Media Club debate, Mr Miles finally nailed his one question to Mr Crisafulli by demanding he answer “yes or no” to whether he was pro-choice.

It was one the opposition leader couldn’t squib, and noted that while it wouldn’t suit the premier’s social media campaign – he was.

We again saw skirmishes between the two men on abortion and Olympic Games legacies, but this debate was more measured and impressive for ordinary Queenslanders.

The opposition leader tinkered with his opening to suit the crowd and asked if they’d noticed more people sleeping rough, whether they were safer in their homes or if bills had become more difficult to pay.

Borrowing the Cheshire cat grin from his Deputy Premier Cameron Dick, Mr Miles spoke of his love of the job and serving Queenslanders.

What a great way to launch the final days of this campaign.

Over to you, Queensland.

Originally published as Analysis: Leaders’ final pitch, now it’s over to you Queensland