Free lunches for primary school students and crackdowns on youth crime are on the ballot at Queensland’s upcoming state election.
, ahead of the 26 October election.
Labor is fighting to hold on to power after nearly 10 years in government, while opinion polls show the Liberal-National Party is expected to win.
Here’s your guide to the key issues.
Queensland election
Queensland’s last election was in October 2020. The Labor Government, led by then-Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, won its third term in office based on its pandemic response.
Currently, the Qld Opposition is the Liberal-National Party (LNP), which was formed in 2008. Unlike the federal Coalition of the Liberal and National parties, it operates as a single party.
The LNP won its first election as a combined party in 2012. It then lost the 2015 election in a landslide, which saw then-leader Campbell Newman lose his seat in Brisbane’s northern suburbs.
Premier
Steven Miles replaced Palaszczuk as Premier in December last year.
Miles previously served as Deputy Premier and Health Minister.
David Crisafulli is the LNP leader. He was elected to the northern Queensland seat of Mundingburra in 2012, which he lost in the 2015 landslide against his party.
Crisafulli has since moved to the Gold Coast seat of Broadwater, which he’s held since 2017.
Issues
Polling company Freshwater Strategy conducted a survey of more than 1,000 Queenslanders two weeks ago.
It found voters’ top three priorities were the cost of living (68%), housing (56%), and crime (55%).
Both Labor and the LNP’s key policies are focused on the economy and crime.
Labor’s plans
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Over the weekend, Miles announced that if Labor is re-elected, children at public primary schools will receive free lunches starting in 2025. It’s a measure he said will save parents roughly $1,600 a year.
Labor has also, a permanent commitment that’s now been matched by the LNP.
It’s promised $1.3 billion to tackle crime and its causes, pledging extra police and more youth intervention.
LNP plans
Yesterday, Crisafulli announced his plan for the first 100 days in office if the LNP is elected.
This includes abolishing stamp duty for first-home buyers, and removing a tax on direct payments from patients to their GPs (also a Labor policy).
The LNP has committed to sentencing children as adults for crimes including stealing cars, business break-ins, serious harm, and murder. It’s also announced a plan to divert “at-risk” youth to “intensive intervention” programs in regional Qld.
Abortion
Minor party Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) has promised toto overhaul the state’s abortion laws.
Queensland decriminalised abortion in 2018.
KAP leader Robbie Katter, son of founder Bob Katter, has called on the LNP to support his policy.
In a series of social media posts, Miles has repeatedly urged Crisafulli to confirm his position.
Crisafulli has said it’s not “part of our plan” to repeal abortion laws.
Polling
The Freshwater poll showed Labor securing 44% of the vote, compared to 56% for the LNP.
Polls have consistently shown Labor trailing LNP since the start of 2023.
Labor saw large swings against it at two by-elections earlier this year, one of which it lost with an 18% swing to the LNP.
Polls will close at 6pm AEST on Saturday 26 October. Nearly four million people are enrolled to vote.
