Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

One Nation in central Queensland could return LNP to power

By Gary Johns - posted Thursday, 5 October 2017


Should central Queensland hold the balance of power, the entire state would wake to a new dynamic: the needs and desires of voters in and around cities such as Maryborough, Bundaberg, Yep­poon, Rockhampton and Mackay.

These voters would have little interest in Brisbane city underground rail or Brisbane-to-coast highway duplication - the big pitch from Labor and the LNP - or indeed any of the other regions.

Labor won government on the back of a too-crude Campbell Newman approach to public debt control.

Advertisement

His one-term government terminated the contracts of 14,000 public servants. I believe the Palaszczuk government has instructed every department head in Queensland to hire public servants regardless.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's one strategy - indeed, the only Labor strategy at a state level - is to hire public servants.

Meanwhile, the Queensland budget wallows in debt, $80 billion at last count. The previous Labor government under Anna Bligh lost the state's AAA credit rating, and the LNP is reluctant to revisit public service numbers or the sale of public assets to win government.

One Nation seats gained at the expense of the LNP will count for little in terms of governing, as One Nation cabinet posts are unlikely. Whatever the comparative numbers, a minority LNP government with the support of One Nation will rely on a good line of communication and experienced negotiators between the parties.

The hope for Queensland is that stable government may be able to pay down debt slowly and regain the AAA credit rating. Keep a lookout for central Queensland: its time has come.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All

This article was first published in The Australian.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

12 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Gary Johns is a former federal member of Parliament and served as a minister in the Keating Government. Since December 2017 he has been the commissioner of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Gary Johns

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Gary Johns
Article Tools
Comment 12 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy