‘Misguided’: Queenslanders split on key issues as polls open
Queenslanders headed to the polls in their droves today to cast their election vote early, with many taking opposing views on the key issues.
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Early voting has opened for Queenslanders in an election that sees the LNP and Labor offering differing approaches on key issues like tax, health, energy, free lunch and crime.
Queenslanders are turning out to polling booths across the state, with some telling The Courier-Mail they support Labor’s school lunch plan while others say they wish the party could focus on “bigger issues” impacting the state.
A steady stream of voters turned out to the Brisbane City Hall early voting centre on Monday.
Kristen Kritzinger said she was undecided as she headed to the polling booth today but supported Labor’s free lunch pledge.
“It’s a really nice sort of thing to do. I suppose it is a tactic and I understand that,” Ms Kritzinger said.
Luke Blucher from Greenslopes voted the Greens and said it was due to the “visibility of the party” in his area.
“It was mainly the visibility of the Greens in my community that swayed my vote. They do a free lunch on Monday, and I always visit,” Mr Blucher said.
Drew Tatnell said media attention about abortion rights in Queensland swayed his vote.
“It came up quite late, actually, some of the press around the abortion rights in Queensland,” Mr Tatnell said.
Queensland’s abortion laws – and whether they need further scrutiny – have become one of the lightning rod issues ahead of the October 26 election and was a hot topic last week.
In October 2018 historic reforms to decriminalise abortion in Queensland passed state parliament after a tumultuous three months of emotional and bruising public and parliamentary debate.
“That is a bit of a concern for me, because it was something that I definitely campaigned for a few years ago…Attending the protests.”
Mr Tatnell said the Greens’ policy selection appealed to him when it came to casting his vote.
He said while Labor’s pledge of $1.4bn for free lunches is great, he wished they had more of a focus on the bigger issue.
Jacquline Shaw from Bulimba voted for the LNP and labelled Labor’s free lunch plan “misguided”.
“He could spend the money way better I feel,” Ms Shaw said.
Originally published as ‘Misguided’: Queenslanders split on key issues as polls open
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