Queensland isn't just a COVID-19 election

For example the ALP is promising to spend $600 m manufacturing trains in marginal Maryborough, employing 400 people, but train patronage is down in the south-east where they would be presumably used.

It is an odd election. Normally the opposition attacks the government and the government defends its record.

Instead the government is attacking, condemning the opposition for Campbell Newman’s almost 6 year-old record, while the opposition runs only positives.

Government changes capping electoral spending, designed to limit the LNP expenditure and drown it under a union avalanche, have also changed the dynamics, spawning a plethora of third parties all spending money pursuing their own agendas.

Clive Palmer is one and he can spend $1M in his own right, as well as $8.95M through his party, which he is spending on ads attacking the government.

Perhaps Frecklington is relying on him to do the dirty work for her.

Unions are another third-party force. They are causing problems for the premier’s messaging, by, amongst other things, advocating preferences for One Nation.

This might be why the premier suddenly made a voluntary euthanasia pitch in her campaign launch. Afterall, it seemed to work for Daniel Andrews in 2018, and it might appeal to older voters, the LNP’s bedrock.

Which underlines how tight the contest is. If COVID were to decide the result, the premier would be easing back. Instead she’s throwing everything into it she can.