Crisafulli looks a winner, but sticky subject soaking up valuable campaign time
Pressure is mounting on the man tipped to become Queensland’s next premier, with an expert warning his inability to clarify a stance on divisive issues could cost votes.
Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli is seen speaking at the Tourism and Transport Forum’s Leadership QLD 2024: Tourism, Aviation and Transport Summit, in Brisbane, Thursday, August 29, 2024. (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING
Liberal National Party leader David Crisafulli has appeared on track to end Labor’s nine-year reign at the October 26 election.
He has consistently led the polls, campaigning hard on the key election issues of youth crime, health, housing and cost-of-living pressures.
But the opposition leader’s campaign has hit its first major hurdle as divisive topics come under the spotlight.
He has been hounded after the conservative Katter’s Australian Party vowed it would seek to repeal abortion laws following the election.
Mr Crisafulli has repeatedly promised not to change the laws after abortion was decriminalised in Queensland in 2018, reiterating his stance alongside attorney-general spokesman Tim Nicholls on Thursday.
He has been tested on the subject by a travelling media pack, enduring 39 questions about abortion on Wednesday alone.
But he has been unable to explain how he will guarantee no changes, with the LNP typically allowing conscience votes on private members bills such as the one the Katter party plans to introduce.
There was one in 2018 when state parliament voted to decriminalise abortion, with only three LNP MPs – including Mr Nicholls – supporting it.
Mr Crisafulli has also faced calls to clarify his stance on voluntary assisted dying and gender issues.
The latter became an issue after an LNP official sent an email to branch members claiming Queensland had been “captured by transgender ideology”, referencing plans to ban puberty blockers for minors.
An expert warned Mr Crisafulli’s social issue stance could sway voters.
“The abortion debate is not just about abortion – it’s just about how policy is made under an LNP government,” Griffith University’s Paul Williams told AAP.
“What sort of approach will they be taking? Who will they be listening to?
“Is Crisafulli going to be a strong enough leader to stand up for the conservatives in his own party?
“Certainly the abortion debate will change the minds of some Brisbane voters, especially women, because Brisbane is more progressive than Townsville.”
Mr Williams said it could play into the hands of Labor at the poll, especially under-pressure Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon on the Gold Coast.
“It could peel votes off everywhere but it’s not critical mass,” he said.
“Where it will peel off a critical mass is in the marginal Labor seats in Brisbane and it might help Meaghan Scanlon in Gaven.”
Mr Katter said he did not trust the LNP to make abortion law changes, accusing the party of trying to appease both metropolitan and regional voters.
“I think they’re just dog-whistling, trying to pretend that there could be a chance of this getting up,” he told AAP.
“He (Crisafulli) is doing exactly what he has to do, which is try and ride two horses at once.”
Mr Crisafulli on Thursday was also pressed on Labor’s planned Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro, a large-scale, multi-billion dollar renewable energy initiative proposed by the government.
He categorically ruled out its future if elected but could not provide any costings or details on his party’s smaller pumped hydro alternatives.