(January 15, 2015) Day 10
News, opinion and analysis
- Bridie Jabour writes, “Rob Katter wants to talk about the drought, which has hit thousands of square kilometres in western, central and northern Queensland, but which barely features on the agendas of the main parties in this month’s state election”: Katter and Queensland’s minor parties may be ignored this election, but not silenced.
- Madonna King writes, “With just over a fortnight until we go to the polls, several big questions remain unanswered. Here’s 10 of them”: 10 questions that must be answered.
- Amy Remeikis reports,”It doesn’t look like Prime Minister Tony Abbott will receive an invitation to the LNP’s campaign launch on Sunday”: Tony Abbott unlikely to be at LNP campaign launch.
- Mark Doyle writes, “In August and September 2014 I travelled through Central Queensland from Dalby to Roma and Chinchilla, up to Alpha and on through Moranbah to Collinsville and Bowen, then down to Gladstone and Avondale. In every town I talked to people whose lives had been upturned by rapid coal and gas expansion”: Open For Business: Avondale.
Airlie Beach – Tourism
- “Labor would invest an extra $40 million in Tourism and Events Queensland in order to combat falling visitor numbers if elected”: Labor looks to boost tourism figures.
New Qld labor tourism announcement @7NewsBrisbane #qldvotes pic.twitter.com/W5VBLMeE9V
— Katrina Blowers (@katrinablowers) January 14, 2015
In Airlie Beach @AnnastaciaMP walks past @theqldpremier media conference on @ABCNews24 #qldvotes pic.twitter.com/zKuW6hofeB
— Melinda Howells (@MelindaHowells) January 14, 2015
Emerald – Asset leasing for promises
- “Queensland Premier Campbell Newman says the Liberal National Party is expecting to get more cash than forecast from asset leases, with any extra money to pay down debt and fund infrastructure”: Premier expects more cash than forecast from leasing state assets.
- “Almost $2 billion in Liberal National Party (LNP) spending promises have been linked to the party’s plan to lease public assets, as Labor insists most Queenslanders are against the proposal”: LNP links $2b in promises to asset leasing plan.
And we're off … @theqldpremier visits an Emerald trucking company #qldpol @tennewsqld pic.twitter.com/4AXb63t7ac
— Tegan George (@tegangeorge) January 14, 2015
Charleville
Retiring LNP Member Howard Hobbs holds the seat of Warrego with a 28% margin #qldvotes #charleville pic.twitter.com/03QhcnIxJF
— Melinda Howells (@MelindaHowells) January 15, 2015
Mining
- Lenore Taylor reports, “Campbell Newman’s government and mining company Adani have made grand claims about job creation in the state, yet the source of their statements appears shrouded in mystery”: With Queensland election promises, and mining projects, it’s wise to keep digging.
- Joshua Robertson reports, “Pre-election push by Queensland Resources Council targeting state election candidates uses biased and inaccurate economic modelling, according to critics”: Queensland mining lobby accused of exaggerating benefits in MP campaign.
Asset sales
- Sarah Elks reports, “Labor leader Annastacia Palaszczuk has brushed off the backing by business leaders and senior economists of Campbell Newman’s privatisation plan, insisting “Queenslanders don’t want their assets sold”: ‘Queenslanders don’t want assets sold’ says Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Cost of living
- “The Premier has once again promised to lower the cost of living in the lead up to an election. Campbell Newman said he saw “power prices coming down” if the LNP won the January 31 poll, meaning it could go ahead with the privatisation of the state’s power network”: Newman’s promise to lower living costs – the sequel.
Unemployment
- NoFibs Queensland unemployment figures analysis now up: Jobs, jobs, jobs – December Qld trend unemployment remains at 6.6pc
https://twitter.com/GrogsGamut/status/555526787749265408
https://twitter.com/GrogsGamut/status/555529155622629377
https://twitter.com/GrogsGamut/status/555534160794640384
Health
- “The major parties should subsidise fruit and vegetables in some communities to combat an obesity crisis in Queensland, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) says”: Tackling obesity is biggest health issue facing state, AMA says.
Medicare rise taken off the table
- “The government has capitulated and scrapped its plans to next week cut the Medicare rebate by $20 for short visits to the doctor after a fierce backlash by doctors and non-government Senators, who vowed to veto the measure”: Health Minister Sussan Ley backs away from plan to cut Medicare rebate.
- Lenore Taylor reports, “So much much for all that nonsense last year about scraping off the barnacles for a fresh political start in 2015. The government has now backed down on last year’s co-payment backdown before it has even begun”: Repetitive Medicare backdown strain sends Sussan Ley to the doctors.
"The government has taken the planned changes to the #medicare rebate system off the table" @ABCNews24 #auspol pic.twitter.com/Z1eYqQcrbF
— Doc (@Doclach) January 15, 2015
Cartoons
Here is my #qldvotes #Medicare cartoon in today's @canberratimes #PhysaliaUtriculus http://t.co/0163VaBn27 pic.twitter.com/d5KK7lKLny
— David Pope (@davpope) January 14, 2015
Media watch
What's that Bessy? You're backing Cowbell Mooman? @nick__w asks the hard questions in Emerald for #qldvotes pic.twitter.com/PO5jKEE1Fu
— Eric Tlozek (@EricTlozek) January 15, 2015
I love this stuff. Historic house at #Charleville. @abcnews #qldvotes pic.twitter.com/W2j9kjSKaB
— Leonie Mellor (@leoniemellor) January 15, 2015
Country parmy. The best kinda parmy pic.twitter.com/wpmaDo7Z2R
— Amy Remeikis (@AmyRemeikis) January 14, 2015
#qldvotes CM doesn't like @billshortenmp having lunch with Peter @SmartState1 Beattie. pic.twitter.com/QzXEeKK5nM
— David Marler (@Qldaah) January 14, 2015
(January 14, 2015) Day 9 – Stadiums and The Reef
Speculation, opinion & analysis
- Amy Remeikis writes, “Congratulations Ashgrove, Townsville, Sunshine Coast, Murrumba, Mt Ommaney, Gold Coast and Cairns – you’ve made the LNP’s sandbagging list”: LNP promises to target key seats.
- Professor Fabrizio Carmignani writes, “Judging from the first week of campaigning, the 2015 Queensland election is going to be very much about economics – and jobs in particular”: The true state of Queensland’s economy, without the spin.
Looking forward to joining @AnnastaciaMP & releasing detail about our economic plan this Friday at the @TJRyanFdn #qldvotes #qldpol
— Curtis Pitt MP (@Curtis_Pitt_MP) January 13, 2015
#qldvotes By @sarahelks “Have you ever seen the dugong on the hill?” John asked,explaining…" http://t.co/smsW9Rjufa pic.twitter.com/TJaH4RQqdR
— David Marler (@Qldaah) January 13, 2015
Looks like @GCBulletin and @AlexDouglasMP are at odds. Why #MSM hate #Independents? #qldpol #qldvotes #majorslast pic.twitter.com/Isz1iPK1yt
— Joe Indi (@Joe_Indi1) January 13, 2015
“@Joe_Indi1: Looks like @pwellingtonmp is not impressed with the @couriermail #qldpol #qldvotes #majorslast #vlad pic.twitter.com/OvsCcoiEXx”
— F Oblomov Chalmers (@francisd62) January 13, 2015
ReachTEL – Ashgrove
- “ReachTEL conducted a survey of 847 residents in the Queensland state electorate of Ashgrove on the night of 13th January 2015″: 7 News – Ashgrove poll – 13 January 2015.
- “The latest poll predicts Queensland Premier Campbell Newman will lose his Ashgrove seat, leaving a re-elected Liberal National Party (LNP) government to pick a new leader”: Queensland Premier Campbell Newman to lose seat in latest poll.
The key seat of Ashgrove: 2 party preferred @7NewsBrisbane Reachtel poll #qldvotes pic.twitter.com/xiefOTxi0e
— Katrina Blowers (@katrinablowers) January 14, 2015
The Ashgrove primary vote figures @7NewsBrisbane Reachtel poll #qldvotes pic.twitter.com/TSaBlVlpgD
— Katrina Blowers (@katrinablowers) January 14, 2015
The Premier's seat of Ashgrove: who will win? @7NewsBrisbane Reachtel poll figures #qldvotes pic.twitter.com/iVGhLiEJTS
— Katrina Blowers (@katrinablowers) January 14, 2015
Townsville – Super stadium promised
- Amy Remeikis reports, “It’s official. Townsville is getting its long awaited stadium”: Townsville to get new stadium.
- “Townsville will get a new superstadium and entertainment centre in the CBD, with the project receiving bipartisan support in the lead up to the election. Premier Campbell Newman will pledge $150 million to the project as part of his re-election pitch, while Labor announced $100 million for the project last month”: LNP and Labor back Townsville superstadium.
Stadium Townsville @theqldpremier #qldvotes #qldpol @tsv_bulletin @abcnews pic.twitter.com/PdoerTk33S
— Chris O'Brien (@COBrienBris) January 13, 2015
New home for the NQ Cowboys #qldvotes #qldpol #9News pic.twitter.com/RlSsdt6WZE
— Shane Doherty (@ShaneDoherty9) January 13, 2015
Cairns – On The Reef
- “Labor will spend $100 million over five years to reduce damage on the Great Barrier Reef, according to Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk”: Labor pledges $100m for Great Barrier Reef.
#qldvotes Labor ladies:Great Barrier Reef, @AnnastaciaMP & @jackietrad. More at @brisbanetimes http://t.co/SG2y7yhRGH pic.twitter.com/4S2iPYPOEM
— David Marler (@Qldaah) January 14, 2015
Day 9: @jackietrad is here and we're going on a boat. You were right @SpencerHowson! #qldvotes #qldboats pic.twitter.com/C4rdIdtdxy
— Melinda Howells (@MelindaHowells) January 13, 2015
Labor bus is now a boat! We're heading to Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef #qldvotes pic.twitter.com/efn6r3260Y
— Sarah Elks (@sarahelks) January 13, 2015
No charges laid against LNP MP for Broadwater Verity Barton
- “Police have interviewed Broadwater MP Verity Barton for unlicensed driving this morning”: Traffic police interview Broadwater MP Verity Barton for unlicensed driving, no charges laid.
On the campaign trail with Annastacia Palaszczuk
Debt and AAA credit ratings
- Amy Remeikis reports, “It was the unofficial election promise made not to the cameras, but to voters on a train station platform”: AAA credit rating ‘probably three years away’.
- Rosanne Barrett reports, “Campbell Newman plans to recoup Queensland’s prized AAA credit rating and has flagged cutting debt by half”: Debt key to LNP’s credit ratings goal.
Media watch
Just landed and heading to Airlie Beach. #qldvotes @abcnews pic.twitter.com/kzi66ykhfe
— Leonie Mellor (@leoniemellor) January 14, 2015
Oh good #qldvotes #mercilessheat @CairnsNews pic.twitter.com/dt70bgO7l2
— Melinda Howells (@MelindaHowells) January 13, 2015
Checking in? That's not how we roll on #campaignplane #qldvotes – never filed from so many empty terminals pic.twitter.com/aHOiswW4GT
— Geoff Breusch (@gbreusch) January 13, 2015
The private jet. Nice of the campaign to meet me here. @sarahelks @seanparnell pic.twitter.com/bn4ZGF4nCJ
— Rosanne Barrett (@rosannebarrett) January 13, 2015
Campaign trail
https://twitter.com/GlenElmesMP/status/555241008418390017
Lots of stage managed gov media on campaign trail Expect to see online & in election ads #qldpol #qldvotes pic.twitter.com/mB91TlxYyv
— Bruce Atkinson (@bruceatkinson17) January 13, 2015
Great to announce with Springwood MP @JohnGrantMP $170m upgrade of Gateway-Pac Motorway junction bottleneck #qldpol pic.twitter.com/oLzwDqfrEC
— Scott Emerson (@scottemerson) January 13, 2015