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Long wait for voters unhappy with Bligh

By Graham Young - posted Tuesday, 15 December 2009


The overturning of the decision to build the Traveston Dam by the federal government illustrated another theme: incompetence.

Corruption was another strong theme. Gordon Nuttall has damaged Labor and, although Bligh isn't seen as personally corrupt, the party's tarnished brand will inevitably drag her down.

Queensland Labor's unpopularity could help explain the relative softness in the federal government's Queensland support.

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Bligh is judged on 20 years of Labor administration, in which Kevin Rudd once played a decisive role. She still has her supporters but they are very defensive. They say she has a tough job, and that the media is against her. When your team is losing that is what you tend to say.

It is not totally Bligh's fault that she is in this position.

When we asked respondents what issues would determine their vote, water, education, health and lack of basic infrastructure featured most highly. Queensland is suffering the pressures of rapid population growth.

There is still a skerrick of hope for Labor and it lies with the opposition. While 17 per cent of our respondents approve of Bligh, Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek's approval rating of 27 per cent and his disapproval of 32 per cent are uninspiring.

Most voters want to like him but know too little about him to be positive or negative. They are concerned that the LNP has no policies but they will probably forgive it this.

When we ask them their preferred premier, supporters of Bligh and Langbroek give lacklustre endorsements. Bligh is the “better of two evils” and Langbroek the “least worst”.

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Bligh took electors for granted and they are determined to punish her. Langbroek has not, and as no one could do a worse job than Bligh, voters are likely to give him and the LNP a go. It is no longer about outcomes but retribution. No matter how Bligh may turn, the lady is for burning.

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First published in The Australian on December 12, 2009.



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About the Author

Graham Young is chief editor and the publisher of On Line Opinion. He is executive director of the Australian Institute for Progress, an Australian think tank based in Brisbane, and the publisher of On Line Opinion.

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