Crisafulli says the LNP has a ‘contract’ with Qld. This is what’s in it

Perched at a lectern at the LNP state election function last weekend, in front of a blue wall of slogans vowing “a fresh start for Queensland”, David Crisafulli was adamant.

What he described as scare campaigns from Labor, unions and others – ranging from asset sales, to public sector job cuts and abortion law wind-backs – would be proved wrong. The LNP would honour its word.

“Tomorrow we get to work and do what we say we were going to do, and don’t do what we say we wouldn’t do. And we have a contract with Queenslanders – we intend to honour it,” he said.

David Crisafulli on stage with his deputy, Jarrod Bleijie, and wife Tegan during his election victory speech.Credit: William Davis

Crisafulli now has four years of governing ahead, framed largely around the “four crises” of his anti-Labor campaign, but also around stemming public anxiety about the LNP’s last disruptive reign.

But the platform laid out before and during the campaign goes further than just those issues, and even beyond the three glossy documents distributed to the media.

One part of his pitch has been accountability – of his ministers and himself. Cabinet members officially sworn in to their roles on Friday will sign “charter letters” to be made public in coming days.

Asked on Thursday whether he would have such a letter, the new premier replied: “To myself? That would make for interesting reading.

“My charter letter will be done by you guys every day, I reckon.”

Funny he mentioned it, because here it is.

“What we say we were going to do”

In opposition, the LNP slowly built a policy platform, focused initially on youth crime, health, housing and the cost of living.

This coalesced into three documents over the past 10 months: The Right Priorities, The Right Plan, and The First 100 Days. These capture most, but not all, of the clauses in any contract Crisafulli has with Queensland.

Beyond those, there are responses given by Crisafulli to questions at media conferences, as well as media releases or other public comments from key party spokespeople.

Here, the contract expands to include the following:

• Governing with humility, decency, vision, and tenacity;
• Crisafulli’s resignation as premier if crime victim numbers are not lower by the end of the term (later said to be based on the population-adjusted rate, not the raw number the LNP used in opposition to instil a sense of crisis);
• Managing the budget with lower taxes, lower debt, and a $6.8 billion cut-back on consultants and contractors to help pay for election pledges;
• Stopping the First Nations Path to Treaty by repealing the laws underpinning it;
• Scrapping three-strike drug diversion laws and pill testing (though there are questions over plans for Schoolies this November);
• Accepting all but a few elements of ongoing or future spending in Labor’s last budget;
• Repealing the state’s legislated renewable energy targets;
• Pursuing a number of pumped hydro projects with Queensland Hydro and the private sector;
• Enacting new planning laws to make sure no renewable energy project gets “special treatment”;
• Using coal-fired power stations indefinitely if needed;
• Renaming Cross River Rail the “Elizabeth Line” to honour the late monarch;
• Investigating a new dam in south-east Queensland;
• Reverting to optional preferential voting, and removing a ban on property developers making political donations;
• Releasing corruption watchdog reports into the Trad and Carne matters, and removing a block on the agency reporting publicly;
• Releasing the former government’s probity report into Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, The Star’s partner in the Queen’s Wharf CBD casino and resort development;
• Reforming the budget estimates process;
• Following the recommendation from Professor Peter Coaldrake’s review into the culture and accountability in the public sector of fixed five-year terms for government department heads (except Mike Kaiser);
• Reintroducing 24-hour notice periods for union officials to enter worksites;
• Renaming the state’s seven satellite hospitals, and considering others based on need and expert and community guidance;
• Leading a cabinet “that reflects Queensland”.

“What we say we wouldn’t do”

Most of these items come from public appearances and comments, not the party’s physical plans:

• No change to his team of shadow ministers as they move into cabinet;
• No changes to abortion laws (previously qualified as “for four years”, despite some MPs hoping otherwise);
• No changes to voluntary assisted dying laws;
• No changes to coal royalty rates until at least July 2028;
• No support for nuclear energy until there is federal bipartisanship (though some members of his new party room appeared to offer some wriggle room on election night);
• No public sector job cuts, forced redundancies, or asset sales;
• No construction of a new stadium for the Olympics, or using the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre.

Didn’t say they would or wouldn’t do – but should

With plans to change political donation and voting systems, and a redistribution looming, Crisafulli should put such matters and their ongoing consideration to an independent or bipartisan committee.

As the only Australian state with only one house of parliament, these areas are too prone to the see-sawing between what benefits particular political parties at any one time.

The parliamentary committee system, which Crisafulli said on Thursday would retain the same basic structures – ultimately controlled by the government – should also be reviewed.

This would ensure parliament makes informed decisions about slated law changes, and any more that may come without an election mandate.

With some party figures already urging Crisafulli to “break a few promises and get on with ... things that need to be done”, who knows, these changes could even help Crisafulli avoid doing things he said he wouldn’t.

Of course, things change and plans may have to be altered due to new priorities or different economic conditions. If and when that happens, Crisafulli can renegotiate the contract with Queenslanders by keeping them fully informed.

Either way, Queenslanders will be watching.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.