‘Does not invite trust’: Party leaders warned over voting war of words

The leaders of Queensland’s major parties have been warned against inflammatory political language about the state’s voting system, on the first formal day of the election campaign.

LNP leader David Crisafulli labelled compulsory preferential voting “undemocratic” on Tuesday, while Premier Steven Miles said the LNP’s plan to change it would “corrupt” the electoral system.

The process, by which voters must rank every candidate for their ballot to be valid, is in place in several states and is used for the federal lower house.

Labor leader Steven Miles and Liberal National Party leader David Crisafulli on the first day of the 2024 Queensland election campaignCredit: Matt Dennien, Cameron Atfield

Optional preferential voting, where a simple “1” can be marked next to a candidate of choice, also exists around the country, for some Queensland councils, and previously at state level.

Queensland University of Technology adjunct associate professor John Mickel, a former Labor parliamentary speaker in Queensland, told Brisbane Times: “The language from both sides does not invite trust in the electoral system.

“[But] it is an electoral system that everyone should be proud of – it’s independent, it’s run by an independent commission.

“I would urge both sides to uplift the standard of the debate, because we should have faith in our voting system.”

If the LNP forms government after the October 26 election, Crisafulli has vowed to return state elections to the optional preferencing system.

“Queenslanders shouldn’t be forced to have to vote for anyone they don’t want. It is undemocratic,” he told journalists at a campaign stop in Bundaberg.

Describing the system as “rigged” against the LNP, Crisafulli said Labor relied on it because the party “would be a goner” without Greens voters ranking Labor higher than his party.

Miles also reached for strong language when asked about the LNP’s plan at his only hours-long first call in marginal Townsville after a symbolic public transport trip to Government House in Brisbane.

“I do understand why David Crisafulli would want to corrupt our electoral system, but we stand by compulsory preferential voting,” he said.

The premier also pointed to the fact the system was used at a federal level, and said the more uniform the voting system, the more informed people could be, resulting in fewer informal votes.

Queensland has had the most voting system changes of any Australian state, said Mickel.

While acknowledging the LNP was on “stronger ground” with their criticism of the way Labor went about the most recent shift back to compulsory preferential voting, he said this should be considered by an independent commission.

University of Queensland professor Graeme Orr, whose expertise covers political and election laws, said both major parties favoured compulsory preferences at times.

The conservative side preferred them before the LNP merger, and when it needed to rely on right-wing minor parties, and Labor prefers them “now that it bleeds votes to Greens”.

“Both parties are hypocrites on this,” Orr said.

Miles and Crisafulli were also asked how they would manage if they did not gain a majority of seats in parliament.

Crisafulli borrowed from Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner’s election campaign earlier this year by warning of a Labor-Greens “coalition of chaos” if that occurred.

When pressed whether he would entertain leading a minority government, Crisafulli simply said: “Nope.”

Miles made a similar categorical statement that there would be “no deals, no coalition governments”.

Minority governments without deals and power-sharing arrangements can exist, as long as their budget is passed and they don’t lose a vote of no confidence. Alternatively, a fresh election would be needed.

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