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Tag Archives: Queensland

Queensland Futures: A LNP Landslide on 26 October 2024?

By Denis Bright

Clutching their Little Blue Book of Motherhood Statements in Those Right Priorities for Queensland’s Future, the state LNP candidates are all hoping for a landslide victory. The Murdoch press and its television outlets would love a return to the Joh era. Where David Crisafulli does offer a pragmatic policy, it should be favourably considered by the Miles Government out of respect for mainstream democratic processes and as a sign of even-handedness in leadership.

The Crisafulli initiative on a mental health facility to assist troubled youth in Central Queensland is of course a proposal in this category.

However, over the past century in Queensland, victory for Queensland conservatives has been full of nasty surprises. Time for a Change in 1957 repeated a similar positive mantra to that of Premier Arthur Moore. Soon, essential rail transport links to the Gold Coast were closed, married female teachers dismissed on 31 December from 1958 as a cost saving and unplanned urban sprawl became the buzz word against so-called Red Tape in a motorized Brisbane. These austerity savings were splurged on Queensland’s centenary celebrations in 1959 and the visit of Princess Alexandra. I recall that an old relative informed me that the Governor’s train was decorated and painted for a picnic in the woods in the late Premier Nicklin’s electorate.

In the prime years of my grandparents, Premier Arthur Moore rose from obscurity to fame at the 1929 state election on the eve of the Great Depression by strategies to free Queensanders from the so-called grip of the Labor Party over the previous fourteen years. There were promises of giving young people a chance and a better way under the banner of Country Party Conservatism as interpreted by the member for Aubigny in the Dalby district. The initial positivity of the 1929 campaign soon changed to more austerity, perks for the rural sector and use of the gerrymander to keep the conservatives in control of the Deep North.

The Moore ascendency which lasted just one term made inroads into the Labor Heartland in Queensland to consolidate gains made by Queensland conservatives in 1926. State seats like Brisbane, Bremer in Ipswich, Bowen, Maryborough, Mount Morgan and Fortitude Valley were now highly marginal after the 1929 election as Queensland conservatives took aim at Labor heartlands with populist jingles about happy times ahead.

In far-off Colombus, Ohio at Ohio State University, Emeritus Professor Gerald Kosicki at the School of Communication has pioneered research on the capacity of conservative populists to forge great victories by framing the political agenda with documents like The Right Priorities for Queensland’s Future with the support of mainstream media networks.

The current success of this style of campaigning shows up in the Freshwater Opinion Polling as published in the AFR (30 September 2024):

Premier Steven Miles is on track for a wipeout at next month’s Queensland state election, as the Liberal-National opposition opens a 12-point two-party-preferred lead, according to a new poll.

The latest Australian Financial Review-Freshwater Strategy survey shows Labor’s primary support has collapsed 10 points to 30 per cent since its third successive election victory in 2020 as Queenslanders struggle with cost-of-living and housing pressures, along with widespread fury ov handling crime.

The AFR report by Queensland correspondent James Hall offers a technicolor synopsis of the state of play in Queensland politics from the application of the Freshwater Strategic data:

 


In the words of the lyrics from Simon and Garfunkel of 1964 fame, Queenslanders’ concerns about crime fully assimilated as electoral concerns. Like the words of the prophets on those subway walls and tenement halls, the Miles Government has time in caretake mode to expunge this political graffiti in its own political communications.


The Queensland Government is already tough on crime. A lot of the perceived criminal activity is hearsay to scare the Mamas and the Papas:

 


A police badge can emerge when least expected through the immature application of Jack’s Law as noted by O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors (2 September 2024):

So, the recent plan to expand Jack’s Law to include Queensland shopping centres, licensed premises, and entertainment venues has sparked a heated debate. This legislation, initially introduced to combat knife crime, has now broadened its scope. Now, it allows police to conduct warrantless searches using handheld metal detectors in more public areas.

While some hail it as necessary for public safety, others criticise it. Opponents say it potentially might be an overreach and infringement on civil liberties.

Jack’s Law was enacted in response to the tragic stabbing of 17-year-old Jack Beasley in 2019. The law initially allowed police to use metal detectors in designated Safe Night Precincts and public transport hubs to detect hidden weapons. Since its implementation, over five hundred weapons have been seized.

The expansion of Jack’s Law comes in the wake of several high-profile violent incidents. For example, the tragic Bondi Junction attack resulted in multiple fatalities. Similar events have intensified calls for broader police powers to prevent similar tragedies.

As a result, Queensland Premier Steven Miles emphasised the need for such measures. He stated: “Community safety is a key priority,” and highlighted the success of the law in confiscating dangerous weapons.

Each of the LNP’s chosen disciples applies The Right Priorities Document with some zeal as in the local state electorate of Maiwar in Brisbane’s Inner West in a seat which is held by Green MP, Michael Berkman (Image: LNP):

 


The sheer opportunism of the LNP’s Tough on Crime Rhetoric is revealed by the failure of the Brisbane City Council’s chosen Whitebox Management company to turn on the security lights adjacent to the refurbished Witton Barracks Community Centre which adjoins a popular park for drinking at nighttime. Both railway station staff and even the isolated employees at Whitebox have some fears about parking in this locality.

I have reported the matter to the Indooroopilly Police, Radio 4BC and all LNP representatives in this area. The Witton Barracks area still remains in darkness. The young constable who noted my complain at Indooroopilly Polce Station had completely good rapport with members of the public. Officious practices give the police and politicians always give authority a bad name.

Labor will always be tough on crime and responsive to progressive crime prevention. Much crime is embedded in disadvantage and mental health problems. Tackle these social structures and the battle against crime is well underway. There is little mention of the need to crackdown on sale of party drugs which contribute to premature ageing and those mental health problems which emerge later in life from the use of unknown substances.


The sources of corruption and wholesale tax avoidance as a contribution to budgetary problems is also absent from LNP communications (ABC News 8 November 2023). Readers can scroll the lists available on ABC News sites to see which corporate icons engage in horrible games with the ATO at great expense to the budgets of governments at all levels. Readers should check on which companies are on the tax avoidance shame list from ABC News in the latest and previous editions of the tax avoidance lists.


Our Queensland government does not overspend. The current budget is accompanied by a commitment to $23 billion in capital works in a $93 billion budget for 2024-25. David Crisafulli’s team opposed the increases in mineral royalties which keep the current budget in good shape.


In the traditions of Professor Kosicki’s communication research, the weighting given by the LNP to its tough on crime rhetoric is an attempt to jam out real issues of concern across the electorate which are related to disadvantage, mental health problems and cost-of-living issues. The real purpose of this populist rhetoric is to win government along the old precedents set by Arthur Moore, Joh and Campbell Newman who all hoped for political dynasties that could last for decades as in those dark years between 1970 and 1988 which ended in the criminal proceedings of the Fitzgerald Inquiry into public corruption.


The Freshwater Polling shows that the LNP’s framing and agenda setting of news is working:

 

 

The LNP’s rhetoric about crime is opportunistic and is devoid of real attention to the mafias behind the illegal drug trade, official corruption and tax avoidance on a grand scale.

The LNP’s Right Priorities are largely policy free zones. However, the Freshwater polling shows that the LNP rhetoric has gained traction. The electorate is responding as an echo chamber to the LNP rhetoric that is repeated in the mainstream media with quasi-professional zeal.


These political illusions can still be challenged in the campaign ahead so that Labor can campaign on the issues that really matter. If both mainstream parties want bipartisanship on some initiatives, that is good for leadership credibility on both sides.


And irony of ironies, back at Ohio State University in Columbus, the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) has sold its assets in CampusPrac and Traffic Management valued at $Aus 1 billion at a massive profit for Queensland taxpayers (Bloomberg 28 September 2023). Best wishes to our state from the cash flows being generated from the Northwestern Universities Parking Systems.


David Crisafulli should indeed his own errors of judgment in relation to that prior opposition to increases in mineral royalties and acknowledge that the Queensland economy is not in chaos.


The current campaign is not over. Every percentage gain in Labor’s primary vote saves Labor seats from the LNP landslide which is being fostered by the LNP’s Policy Free Zone in That Little Blue Book.

 

Denis Bright (pictured) is a financial member of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA). Denis is committed to consensus-building in these difficult times. Your feedback from readers advances the cause of citizens’ journalism. Full names are not required when making comments. However, a valid email must be submitted if you decide to hit the Replies Button.

 

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‘Adult Crime Adult Time’

The Queensland LNP have a policy (just the one !) which they believe will sweep them into government come the 26 October state election. They have taken their lead from the Northern Territory CLP where it’s all about crime and punishment – mainly Aboriginal crime although that is thinly veiled.

The Queensland LNP have adopted the slogan ‘Adult Crime Adult Time’ which means in the Qld context ten year olds could be convicted to serve adult sentences as in Queensland the minimum age of criminal responsibility is currently10 (Queensland Criminal Code Act 1899, Section 29).

At the present time LNP advertising is being beamed out across the state with LNP hopeful David Crisafulli looking very sternly at the camera and telling us that under an LNP government it will be ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’. That seems to be the only LNP policy that is discernibly different to the ALP. Even the LNP are opposed to the Dutton nuclear energy power rollout.

After lambasting the fifty cent public transport trial introduced by Labor – now to be a permanent fixture – the LNP have gone very quiet and now quietly acknowledge that they have had a rethink and will not now reverse this policy which they had previously believed to be recklessly extravagant and wasteful : they now support the policy and the Greens actually want to have free public transport – well they would wouldn’t they ?

It has, in all respects proved to be a winning policy from Labor and probably the most effective cost of living boost for working people introduced by any Australian government in recent times – expect to see other states following this lead.

In my own circle of friends I am aware of a working single mother who brought down her daily commuting cost from $7.50 to one dollar putting an extra $32.50 a week into her household budget which, as her rent recently increased, was very well received. Some savings to the family budget have been significantly higher

In addition we are seeing less vehicles on city roads as motorists respond to the public transport enticement and savings available.

But, Newscorp and SKY After Dark won’t have a bar of it and tell us that it’s time for Labor to be shown the door because we need a change and that’s according to ‘Can-Do’ Campbell Newman who some of you may remember with a shiver up the spine.

I have just received my electricity bill for the September quarter and for the first time ever it is nil, with a carry over credit meaning that the December quarter will also be Zero. This is due to the profligate and wasteful Labor party having granted all electricity users in Queensland a $1000 cost of living gratuity which is then added to the $300 federal power initiative on electricity bills applied quarterly.

Clearly it’s time that we got rid of Labor in Queensland in October and federally next year : how much of the reckless profligacy do we have to put up with ?

 

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Social Market Solutions: The New Tourism?

Denis Bright invites discussion on new funding options for tourism promotion at national and regional levels.

The extent of tourism in national and regional economies in Australia is difficult to estimate precisely. Formal statistics probably underestimate the value of the tourism to the national economy. Is there indeed really a precise dividing line between high profile jet-setting and the more familiar Aussie outings to the town, country or coast? Both sectors make valuable contribution to Australian tourism.

Tourism Australia makes ongoing estimates of size of the tourist economy in its annual reports.

Research and marketing operations within Tourism Australia are achieved with minimal staffing levels of just over 200 in both local and overseas locations. Net national government expenditure on Tourism Australia is a lean $138 million for 2014-15.

This national commitment is beneficial to the state and territory tourism corporations which strive to support the macro-perspectives of Tourism Australia.

Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) relies on government funding for about 90 per cent of its revenue base of approximately $100 million.

Similar promotional agencies are based in the other states and territories.

TEQ provides invaluable feedback on tourism and popular events across Queensland.

TEQ research shows the importance of domestic tourism across Queensland in every region.

Commitment to affordable domestic tourism deserves a much higher priority particularly in regional areas like Townsville which are less exposed to international tourism

Australians of all age groups would take more advantage of affordable tourism.

This traction for affordable tourism would increase the popularity of the tourist sector in both distant regions, as well as promotion of cultural and artistic events.

New niche markets exist for all groups including the seniors sector.

Getting more people on the move and at local events can have a transformational effect on regional economies.

3Chillagoe Observatory and Eco Lodge attracts a full spectrum of visitors from school and university field students to international visitors. Located just 200 kms from the coast in the Cairns Savannah Outback, it provides access to the limestone caves, historic sites, indigenous rock art and open spaces which are hallmarks of the Chillagoe Region.

The Queensland National Parks Service offers affordable tours of the most popular cave formations.

Despite overall federal budgetary restraints under the federal LNP since 2013, expenditure on Tourism Australia was allowed to increase. This welcome national commitment was supported by allocations from most states and territories, regional tourist agencies, local authorities and tourist operators themselves.

Queensland under the former LNP State Government led the way in cutting expenditure on tourist promotion in 2013-14.

The Queensland LNP’s desperate measures in the interests of budget repair do highlight the financial problems facing state, territory and regional tourist agencies.

New Tourism must address these problems to overcome past mistakes in the interests of short-term budget recovery strategies by the former Queensland LNP government.

 

5

 

Revitalization of the finances of TEQ and other state or territory based tourist promotion and research agencies require greater financial sustainability at a time when budget repair processes are paramount.

One largely untried financial mechanism involves opening up such government funded agencies to commercial investment within Infrastructure and Community Development Funds at state and territory levels.

Money invested from within Australia and overseas would generate returns on a similar basis to the current commitments by the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) in support of its own Q Super Fund. Key profitable sectors such as investment in the money market and enterprise acquisition would be able to fund less profitable tourist outreach and event promotions.

Independently run Tourism Commissions at national, state, territory and regional levels could generate their own income from both commercial consultancy and training programmes for new staff members. Modest profits generated could sustain tourism and transport options which are not possible under existing austere funding regimes.

As pressure from the LNP encourages even progressive governments to cut commitments to national tourist icons like the rail services to the Cairns Outback, the dollars generated by the profitable consultancy services in an expanded TEQ would provide invaluable support for local events, transportation links and sustainable indigenous tourism projects.

With its focus on the needs of the Australian communities, New Tourism is in essence a programme of social isolation as well as a successful economic activity. Its success consolidates the meticulous research conducted by tourism promotional agencies at all levels.

 

Denis Bright (pictured) is a financial member of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA). Denis is committed to consensus-building in these difficult times. Your feedback from readers advances the cause of citizens’ journalism. Full names are not required when making comments. However, a valid email must be submitted if you decide to hit the Replies Button.

 

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Why don’t they just go back to where they came from?

There was a protest against the proposed mosque in Bendigo.

I know this because, not only was it front page news this morning, but for the past few days various news sites – including the ABC – have been telling me that a protest was planned.

Well, estimates put the total number of protesters at about 600. And that includes the anti-racism protesters who went to protest the protest.

What other protest could get all that free lead-up publicity? Some of you lefties probably remember March in March and how extensively that was covered by the mainstream media. One can’t help but wonder why the Repulsive Right are given free advertising in the lead up to the event.

And, it’s not as though the organisers of the mosque protest were simply wishing to rid Australia of mosques. If they left their demands at “We can’t have Muslims in this country because they’re too intolerant”, I could simply say: So far, so hypocritical. But they want to silence lefties, greenies, Malcolm Turnbull and pretty much anyone who disagrees with them.

Racists we’re not racists, we hate everybody who isn’t part of our group … And even some of them are looking a bit dodgy lately.

I could say that if they don’t like Bendigo’s laws – which after due process including an appeal to VCAT – allow a mosque to be built, why don’t these people go back where they came from? But I would never say such a thing because then I’d be a hypocrite.

And speaking of hypocrites. Do you remember the whole 18C thing? At least, I think it was 18C, it was a long time ago and like most people I’ve forgotten all about it. Now what was the problem?

That’s right. Andrew Bolt had been told that just because he wrote for a newspaper, he wasn’t allowed to make inaccurate claims when suggesting that people were claiming to be black for their own advantage. Or something like that. If I’ve got that wrong, I’m sure that I’ll have the same people springing to my defence saying that any attempt to demand accuracy is a flagrant violation of my first amendment right. (OK, I know we don’t have a first amendment right – or indeed any specific rights – in this country, but if Abbott can tell listeners that he’s taking the fifth amendment on Ray Hadley the other day, then what’s a little Americanisation between friends?)

Wasn’t the basic concern with 18C? Something like, if people (even people with a Dutch heritage) had to be concerned about whether their comment was racist – or accurate – then we were shutting down free speech. And remember the eloquent George Brandis when he reminded us:

“People do have a right to be bigots you know, In a free country people do have rights to say things that other people find offensive or insulting or bigoted.”

Mm, so I guess that’s why George Christensen felt it prudent to address a Reclaim Australia rally a few months ago. To reassure them that, even though the Liberals have gone cold on the whole repeal 18C thing, they still support people’s rights to be bigots.

But not everyone has the right to be a bigot or racist it seems. According to Tony Abbott in August, Bill Shorten shouldn’t be silent where racism is apparently present.

“This Leader of the Opposition is silent in the face of racism,” Abbott told us.

And according to a leaked copy of the script we’ll be seeing this ad from the Liberals:

The couple are watching the union attack ads on TV with the man’s parents.

Father: They’re at it again

Son: Who?

Father: A ratbag union in the building industry is running racist TV ads against the Chinese. Last year Bill Shorten was attacking the Japanese

Girlfriend: I thought Australia wasn’t like that?

Mother: Most Australians aren’t, love

Father: But some unions have been running racist campaigns for years

Son: Why doesn’t someone stop them?

Father: Bill Shorten should stop them.

Yep, that’s something that a lot of people agree on. Everything’s Bill’s fault… Although, I’m having trouble remembering Shorten attacking the Japanese. He did make reference to the fact that the last time we had Japs subs they were in Sydney Harbour which sounds more like one of his famous zingers than anything. I mean, it’s not as if he was actually critical of the Japanese for their attempted World War Two invasion, it was just an observation. He may have actually been praising them for their “skill and honour”, as the then PM, Tony Abbott did.

Ah, “as the then PM, Tony Abbott”. >Sigh< Can’t wait to write “ex-PM” a few more times. By the way, did you see where he got a standing ovation from the NSW Liberals and Turnbull was heckled. And they mocked Labor, who only had Rudd working for his reinstatement. The Liberals seem to have a whole group who think that Shorten would be preferable to Turnbull.

But I digress …

Maybe instead of running a $25 million ad campaign, they should just invoke good ole 18C. Or would that be just too much of an about face?

Or is that if you tried to pin an actual racism charge on the CFMEU, you might find that trying to ensure that there’s adequate testing to make sure that jobs just don’t simply go to overseas workers has nothing to do with the race of the workers, and that the CFMEU would be attempting to ensure that they’re members were the ones getting the work even if the suggestion was that it would go to other Australians.

Whatever, I’d like someone to ask Mr Brandis whether the CFMEU have the right to be bigots or is it only Reclaim Australia and newspaper columnists?

 

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Alan Jones, Heather Pascoe, I am with you

As the silent tentacles of Eddie Obeid were, piece by ugly piece, exposed to public view, we listened in horror. The party that allowed this to happen was rightly punished at the polls sending NSW Labor into political oblivion, and no doubt influencing the Federal election as well. Corruption and lies. Kick them out.

But since then, we have been assaulted by daily revelations of just how sordid politics in this country has become. Are there none who will emerge unscathed? Has the greatest office that an Australian can hold been sold to the highest bidder?

Our Prime Minister has suggested that accepting donations to your political party by selling access to Ministers’ offices for those with vested interests and deep pockets is a “time-honoured practice”, and that whilst there may have been some shenanigans by individuals at a state level, we most definitely do not need a federal integrity watchdog like ICAC. I beg to differ. Workplace smoking was a time honoured practice too. It was also wrong.

I never thought I would suggest listening to Alan Jones. His treatment of Julia Gillard was unconscionable on more levels than I care to revisit. As an intelligent man he knows this. He apologised for one of his worst mistakes, after it went public, as seems to be the only moral guide nowadays. If someone finds out, and worse still, publicises it, then pay it back or declare it or say sorry. Are there no personal standards anymore?

Anyway…I digress. Alan Jones has a large following and this gives him influence. When he uses that to battle action on climate change and renewable energy, I will always disagree with him and point out the many facts that prove his arguments wrong.

But when he is right, when he uses his influence for good, then I will support him and do what I can to help. I can hear people saying who are you to judge right and wrong. Good point. People who have a public platform have a certain obligation to present facts and allow others to judge. I try to do this though my personal philosophy no doubt influences my writing and is apparent to readers, as is Alan’s to his listeners.

I have shared this Alan Jones radio program on other threads but it deserves as much attention as can be aroused. If you have not heard it, and you care about your country, then please take the 20 odd minutes it will take to listen to the whole program. He, and the woman he interviews, Helen Pascoe/Brown show great courage in relating this story. As usual, I have looked at other sources to verify the story they are telling. You can read here and here and here other articles verifying what they are saying.

It is important to remember that Queensland has no upper house so what Campbell’s boys vote for goes. Add to this the move by Greg Hunt to water down environmental laws and devolve responsibility for decisions to the states which has allowed the Newman government to proceed with developments with no oversight.

I will not tolerate mining companies attempting to intimidate Australian citizens through criminal acts apparently with government sanction.

To Heather, I will volunteer to go and stay in your property with my dog and a lot of cameras. This will not happen in my country.

To Alan, thank you for making us aware of just how far the corruption has gone.

 

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Am I VLAD I’m not in Queensland!

 

When I first heard people complaining about Queensland’s VLAD laws, I thought it was a tremendous over-reaction – they didn’t have to ban all vampire movies, just the “Twilight” series would have been sufficient!

But when I discovered what it really was, I thought that I’d better investigate further. So I looked up the legislation.

Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Bill 2013

1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Vicious Lawless Association
Disestablishment Act 2013.
2 Objects
(1) The objects of the Act are to—
(a) disestablish associations that encourage, foster or
support persons who commit serious offences; and
(b) increase public safety and security by the
disestablishment of the associations; and
(c) deny to persons who commit serious offences the
assistance and support gained from association with
other persons who participate in the affairs of the
associations.
(2) The objects are to be achieved by—
(a) imposing significant terms of imprisonment for vicious
lawless associates who commit declared offences; and
(b) removing the possibility of parole for vicious lawless
associates serving terms of imprisonment except in
limited circumstances; and
(c) encouraging vicious lawless associates to cooperate
with law enforcement agencies in the investigation and
prosecution of serious criminal activity.

3 Definitions
In this Act—
association means any of the following—
(a) a corporation;
(b) an unincorporated association;
(c) a club or league;
(d) any other group of 3 or more persons by whatever name
called, whether associated formally or informally and
whether the group is legal or illegal.

Blah, blah, blah. It goes on for a few more pages, so I thought I’d stop before you fell asleep.

Now, I don’t pretend to know the definition of a “serious offence”. I guess that there must be some legal definition as to which offences are “serious” and which ones you can get away with by saying “just joking, wasn’t serious”. Whatever, when we talk about those naughty bikies, it’s easy to drum some populist support for the legislation.

However, it’s unclear from my reading of the legislation exactly how one can determine which associations “encourage, foster or support persons who commit serious offences”. For example, it couldn’t be stretched to include unions in a picket line, could it?

And it clearly doesn’t mean lawyers, does it? Because they “support persons” who are accused of committing serious offences by representing them in court. On a quick reading I didn’t see an an exception for lawyers and the word there is “or” not “and”.

Or could it mean the Business Council, if one of their members is found guilty of an offence?

Yes, I doubt it. Because as the legislation says toward the end:

“10 Regulation-making power
The Governor in Council may make regulations declaring
offences for the purposes of this Act.”

Correct me if I’m wrong, anyone with better legal knowledge, but that sounds suspiciously like we, the government, can declare which offences are covered by the term “serious offence”.

Yes, I know we’re a long way from Nazi Germany, and that only Hitler was Hitler. The Queensland Government isn’t about to start locking up its policital opponents. We’re a democracy, after all. Still, so was Nazi Germany until it started introducing laws like this one.