Qld election analysis: Crime slogans get an election reality check
No reputable youth justice stakeholder has come forward to back the Opposition Leader’s Adult Crime, Adult Time policy, despite him using it to justify the most significant political promise in Queensland’s recent political history.
QLD Votes
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD Votes. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Candidates enter leadership with honourable ambitions, but are quickly dragged down by the realities of party politics and responsibility.
Will this election be any different?
LNP leader David Crisafulli on Thursday issued the most significant political promise in Queensland’s recent political history – that he would resign after one term if crime victim numbers don’t fall.
It’s ambitious, but politically suicidal – akin to Malcolm Turnbull’s measure of Newspoll results.
Concerning for Mr Crisafulli should be the few voices outside of his bubble who believe it’s possible to drive victim numbers down.
Population growth and ever-evolving offences – the Criminal Code has been amended 44 times since Labor came to power in January 2015 – makes it hard to comprehend victim numbers will plateau, let alone fall.
Some of Labor’s more optimistic folk believe the electorate is waking to the political opportunism within the LNP when it comes to crime.
The electorate is not suddenly convinced the government has what it takes to keep Queenslanders safe, but seeds of doubt about the opposition’s promises are being sown.
An off-the-cuff comment by Premier Steven Miles in Thursday’s debate might have unearthed an effective strike for Labor on Mr Crisafulli’s crime policy.
“You still haven’t found any experts to support the four-word slogan that you’re taking to this election,” he said.
In truth, he’s right.
No reputable youth justice stakeholder has come forward to back his Adult Crime, Adult Time policy and there’s murmurs members of the LNP frontbench have privately acknowledged it’s just a slogan.
The problem with politicians is they’re convinced they know best.
You wouldn’t get a chef to build a house, so why let a union staffer or business-owner-turned politician craft youth justice policy?
Lofty election promises by politicians to fix the state’s problems are delayed or forgotten before, four years later, they offer voters the next policy sugar hit.
Originally published as Qld election analysis: Crime slogans get an election reality check
500,000 reasons Reece Walsh is Labor’s new election weapon
It’s Brisbane’s version of Taylor Swift endorsing Kamala Harris, with Labor’s election hopes given a boost from an unlikely source: Broncos superstar Reece Walsh. WE’VE GOT THE SCOOP
LNP to make call on donation after former MP’s day in court
The LNP will not seek to return a $17,500 election donation made to his party by Michael Trout after the former Barron River MP was charged with assault.
Labor’s mixed news over social housing puzzle
Labor has been unable to say when there will be a reduction in the number of people waiting for social housing, but minister Meaghan Scanlon said fewer people were applying.
Labor’s strange sense of calm in face of certain oblivion
Labor MPs are privately holding hope that the third-term government is in with a chance at a fourth, despite all signs pointing to the opposite, writes Hayden Johnson.
‘Won’t stand up to him’: Premier’s claim on LNP’s nuclear plans
Premier Steven Miles has made a shock claim about the LNP’s plans for nuclear power should Peter Dutton become Prime Minister in response to a Courier-Mail reader question.
Vote early, miss out: LNP maintains silence on tax changes, costings
Early voters will be left in the dark over the LNP’s tax policy, with Opposition Leader David Crisafulli confirming his full costings would not be released prior to October 14.