Toowoomba’s pre-polling booths open as Qld starts voting

Pre-polling booths opened around Toowoomba today as residents, candidates and volunteers came out to have their say.

Voters, candidates, and volunteers came out today to vote and man the polling stations in Toowoomba as the first day of pre-poll starts. Monday, 14 October 2024. Picture: Christine Schindler

As a police helicopter circled the skies above Toowoomba, a steady stream of voters went in and out of pre-polling booths below to decide who will lead Queensland for the next four years.

Youth crime has become a major issue for the State Election, as Opposition leader David Crisafulli attempts to make his case that he will tackle the crisis that has affected much of Queensland, while Premier Steven Miles tries to convince voters that the decline in crime numbers will continue.

Among crime, health and cost-of-living were also mentioned as key issues by voters who visited the Hill St pre-poll in Toowoomba.

“We’re voting early this year because my wife has to go into hospital,” Greg Richardson said.

Describing himself as a swing voter, not a party voter, Mr Richardson said he cast his vote for Labor.

“Labor’s got a lot more to offer this election than the others do,” he said.

His wife, Kerry Richardson, said she also voted for Labor, but as a retired teacher, she believes giving free lunches out to school kids “would not be possible”.

“What are they going to do in small schools? Ask teachers to stop early and prepare lunches?”

She said she would like to see a “serious look on how that is to be implemented”.

Incumbent MP for Toowoomba North Trevor Watts was passing out how to vote cards and said crime and cost-of-living were what most people were talking about.

“Flying above us is Polair and so crime is one of the very important factors this election is being fought on,” Mr Watts said.

At the South Toowoomba Lawrence St polling booth, Neville Lindeman said he cast his vote for LNP.

Election Day

The 2024 Queensland election has begun this week, and candidates across four Darling Downs and Lockyer Valley electorates have already started making their pitches to voters in the weeks leading up to October 26.

At least 16 candidates are expected to run across Toowoomba North, Toowoomba South, Condamine and Lockyer, with nominations closing next week.

It comes as residents are able to have their say on the key issues in their seat for this election through The Chronicle’s voter survey.

When and where can I vote?

Early voting begins on October 14 at several locations across the Toowoomba, Western Downs, Lockyer Valley and South Burnett regions, which will be open up until October 25.

Greg and Kerry Richardson came out to vote at Hill St in Toowoomba as the first day of pre-poll starts. Monday, 14 October 2024. Picture: Christine Schindler