#qldvotes2020 - Queensland State Election 31 October 2020

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Poll results 'encouraging' for Queensland Premier

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk says she is chuffed her popularity has rebounded during the coronavirus crisis, even though her Government is at risk of being bundled out of office.

But the Premier has refused to say why she believed a shock new poll had revealed less than one in three would vote for her Government at the upcoming October poll.

"Polls showing strong support for the Premier and her actions to protect Queenslanders from the effects of COVID-19 are very encouraging," a spokesman for Ms Palaszczuk said yesterday.

A new YouGov Poll, published in yesterday's The Sunday Mail, revealed Ms Palaszczuk's Labor Government had dropped to its worst result in four years, now trailing the LNP.

It comes as Queensland continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic that's strangled the economy and forced about 130,000 people out of work.

The business and tourism community have been vocal for weeks about the need to reopen the Queensland border as soon as it's safe to do so after the Premier made the shock claim that it may not open until September, depending on cases.

The poll of more than 1000 Queenslanders found 39 per cent trusted the Palaszczuk Government more to manage the economy's recovery post COVID-19, with a Frecklington-led LNP Government trailing on 28 per cent.

The number of people satisfied with the Premier's performance jumped from just 29 per cent in January this year, to 49 per cent.

And 44 per cent now believe Ms Palaszczuk is a better Premier, compared to 34 per cent in January.

But the poll found 52 per cent back the LNP on a two-party preferred basis, with Labor slumping to 48 per cent – down from 51.2 per cent at the November 2017 election.

It also revealed Labor's primary vote had fallen to 32 per cent, trailing the LNP's which had jumped more than 4 per cent since 2017.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington would not be drawn on the poll yesterday, instead insisting she was concentrating on getting Queensland working again.

" ... that's exactly why I'm putting out the big, bold, ambitious policies like the new Bradfield Scheme, building the second M1, fixing our hospital system and improving the school system," she said.

[ozbob]

ABC --> Coronavirus plan allows Queenslanders to vote in person for October state election if no second wave outbreak

Voters will be encouraged to cast their ballots in person for Queensland's 2020 general election, to be held on October 31, provided there are no COVID-19 outbreaks.

Key points:
The Queensland state election is to be held over two weeks with extended "pre-polls"
Voters will be allowed to cast ballots in person
The Electoral Commission is ready to conduct a full postal vote in event of an outbreak
The State Government announced its plans to Parliament on how the Electoral Commission Queensland (ECQ) would be directed to conduct the poll.

Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath said the Government wanted to ensure conditions were safe and that, notwithstanding any outbreaks of COVID-19, a stand-up vote was the preferred option.

"We want people to turn out in person to vote — that's their democratic right to do so," Ms D'Ath said.

"But if there ends up being cluster outbreaks in any area of the state, we also want to make sure the ECQ have the power and resources to react quickly to potentially turn them into full postal votes for those areas."

Ms D'Ath said that would mean the vote in any electorate encountering an outbreak would be delayed and that electorate would be a postal vote.

In order to minimise mass gatherings of people at any one voting centre, the Government said Queensland would have an "election period" — not just an election day.

The ECQ was criticised by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in March over the commission's failure to provide live results of the council and two state by-elections.

At the time, Ms Palaszczuk said she had been "pretty disappointed" and ordered a review of what went wrong.

Ms D'Ath said she had been assured staff had since undergone training to ensure results were updated live.

The March election was highly controversial given the unfolding pandemic and Ms D'Ath said lessons had been learnt as a result.

"In March, we saw we had to take extraordinary measures to ensure it was safe for people to vote in the local government election and the two state by-elections," Ms D'Ath said.

"But the measures that we took delivered a safe outcome — there were no positive tests as a result of the election or the by-elections."

Ms D'Ath said the Government had already passed legislation to allow the ECQ to conduct a full postal vote in the event of a second wave.

She said it would be a last resort and the Government was working with Australia Post on how the votes would be quickly returned.

"It could be done, however it comes with great risks like not getting the ballots to people in time, and not getting the ballots returned in time to be counted," Ms D'Ath said.

In March, more than 70 per cent of the postal votes were received after election day.

"If that's the case, you wouldn't get a result until long afterwards," Ms D'Ath said.

As a precaution, enough special envelopes have been ordered for a state-wide postal vote.

"Or where [people] are particularly vulnerable, we'll give the ECQ the powers to broaden the scope of the class of people who can do telephone-assisted voting," Ms D'Ath said.

Sausage sizzles and the sale of food at voting centres will be dependent on the advice of Queensland's Chief Health Officer at the time.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Deb Frecklington promises $1b spend for job-creating infrastructure

JOBS will be created and congestion busted under a $1 billion LNP plan to build and upgrade roads and rail, starting with a $245 million pledge to duplicate the Centenary Bridge.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington will on Thursday outline her vision to get shovels in the ground and people in jobs, starting with the plan to improve traffic for the 100,000 people who take the Centenary Highway each day.

The promise comes on the 100-day marker before Queenslanders are set to go to the polls on October 31, with the COVID recovery, jobs, health, education, infrastructure and the cost of living all set to be key issues.

Ms Frecklington said the $1 billion would all be new money, and funded entirely by the state to ensure there were no hold-ups over funding fights with Canberra.

"To drag ourselves out of recession, the LNP will use infrastructure to stimulate the economy by investing an extra $1 billion in South East Queensland roads," she said.

"I want shovels in the ground and jobs created for Queenslanders as soon as possible.

"No more fights with other levels of governments, these projects will be fully funded and fast-tracked by a government I lead.

"With more than 200,000 Queenslanders out of work, we need to create jobs immediately by investing for growth."

Ms Frecklington said projects would be awarded with preference given to Queensland construction firms that had their head office in the state.

"Construction of the LNP's new infrastructure projects will directly employ 3100 workers but will also result in thousands of secure flow-on jobs across the south east," she said.

"Procurement will be fast-tracked and preference will be given to Queensland contractors, now is the time to help our own first.

"By upgrading important freight routes we will make Queensland more productive and competitive in the future.

"The Morrison Government's safety net of JobKeeper and JobSeeker was necessary but now it is time for State Governments to step up and create jobs."

Ms Frecklington said the LNP's plans to duplicate the Centenary Bridge bottleneck also included a new pedestrian and cycle path, a new connection to the cycleway and noise mitigation for local residents.

"More than 100,000 vehicles squeeze through the existing bridge's four lanes each weekday and an estimated 157,000 vehicles will be using it by 2036," she said.

"There is no time to waste and he LNP's funding will add an extra four lanes to the crossing, with scope for a fifth lane to be added later."

Meanwhile, asked about the 100-day milestone ahead of the election, a spokesman for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was focused on navigating the coronavirus crisis.

"The Government is focused on our $6 billion plan to steer Queensland through the economic recovery in the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

"We will make election commitments during the election campaign.

"Right now, the government's priority is addressing the economic and health impacts of the global coronavirus pandemic.

"That means continuing to manage the health response and delivering Queensland's plan to Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs."

Ms Frecklington said she would work around the clock over the next 100 days to "protect lives and livelihoods".

"My vision is to make Queensland the economic powerhouse of Australia once again, the best place to get a job, get ahead and raise a family," she said.

"How deep the recession goes and how quickly we recover from it will be decided at the next state election.

"The LNP is the only party that has a plan to create a stronger economy and more secure jobs."

LNP KEY PLEDGES

■ Build a New Bradfield Scheme to drought proof the state.

■ Build a Second M1 on the Gold Coast.

■ Partner with the private sector to clear the surgery waiting list.

■ No new taxes.

■ Establish a Queensland Investment Partnerships program to deliver $1bn in new public-private projects over the next four years.

LABOR KEY PLEDGES

Labor says it will make election commitments during the election campaign. But as part of its "Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs" plan, the Government has:

■ Delivered a $267m package to support housing construction.

■ Provided $1.3bn in payroll tax relief for businesses.

■ Provided $196m in grants for small businesses.

■ Promised to deliver $51.8bn in infrastructure over the next four years.

[JimmyP]

Unless they plan to widen the Centenary Hwy/Western Fwy to 4 lanes for a significant distance in each direction, there is precious little point in making the river crossing 8 lanes across.

[verbatim9]

Unless they plan to widen the Centenary Hwy/Western Fwy to 4 lanes for a significant distance in each direction, there is precious little point in making the river crossing 8 lanes across.

Apparently the corridor will be widened from Moggill Road to Mount Ommaney as well.

[red dragin]

Apparently the corridor will be widened from Moggill Road to Mount Ommaney as well.

That's a bargain for $245 million, considering just the overpass replacement at Boundary Rd Narangba cost ~$220 million.

[Jonno]

Apparently the corridor will be widened from Moggill Road to Mount Ommaney as well.

That's a bargain for $245 million, considering just the overpass replacement at Boundary Rd Narangba cost ~$220 million.

Don't tell me the costs are under estimated and the benefits over blown or ignore reality.  That's never happened before.

[achiruel]

I hope that if the Centenary Fwy is to be widened to 8 lanes that 1 each way will be a T3 lane.

[Cazza]

I hope that if the Centenary Fwy is to be widened to 8 lanes that 1 each way will be a bus lane.

[achiruel]

Yeah, I dunno, I don't see that there's enough bus services using that corridor to warrant an exclusive bus lane. T3 also helps to reward people for whom public transport isn't a viable option for whatever reason as they're still helping reduce road congestion.

[Cazza]

As we can all pretty much agree, the current state of the Centenary bus network in terms of service operating hours, frequencies and simplicity is completely inadequate. In the near future, there is likely to be at least one BUZ, 2 standard services and 1 peak hour express service using the Centenary Bridge, with upwards of 20 bph in peaks and 10 off-peak. That is more than enough to justify a bus lane, especially given the increased number of vehicles to be using this stretch of road.

Also, the thing with T3 lanes is that they don't actually hit the target market that they are aiming for. T3 lanes only work for families or people that happen to live next door to 2 other people that they are happy to carpool with. You are much more likely to see people carpooling with one other person. These people who are doing the right thing (as apposed to trips by themselves) are still not able to use this lane.

For justification, the T3 lane between Windsor Rd and Victoria St along Kelvin Grove Rd changed to a T2 lane a few years back (potentially for this reason). The T2 lane along Waterworks Rd too works a treat as it is.

The only other T3 lane that I am aware of in Brisbane is Mains Rd northbound between Kessels Rd and the M1 (and this is a 24/7 one). I only support this one being a T3 because it is used as a queue jumping lane for buses and cars with 3 or more occupants. If it was a T2 lane, there would still be too many people using it, negating the need for it and holding buses back.

That's my 2c on the issue.

[verbatim9]

As we can all pretty much agree, the current state of the Centenary bus network in terms of service operating hours, frequencies and simplicity is completely inadequate. In the near future, there is likely to be at least one BUZ, 2 standard services and 1 peak hour express service using the Centenary Bridge, with upwards of 20 bph in peaks and 10 off-peak. That is more than enough to justify a bus lane, especially given the increased number of vehicles to be using this stretch of road.

They should be able to extend and terminate the Riverhills Express at Darra station as the Sumners Road overpass comes online. Better outcomes for residents as they can catch an express train to and from Darra and change to a HF express bus during peak times to and from Centenary.

[James]

Unless they plan to widen the Centenary Hwy/Western Fwy to 4 lanes for a significant distance in each direction, there is precious little point in making the river crossing 8 lanes across.

I reckon it'll be four lanes northbound to account for traffic merging from the Jindalee on-ramp. So you would have three lanes from Mount Ommaney to Jindalee, and then four lanes across the bridge until the traffic can merge on.

I think only the bridge and a few related works will be $245m. No way that would extend all the way down to Mount Ommaney. Bridges aren't cheap, particularly if crossing the Brisbane river, and a lot of the motorway design along the M5 is well below modern day standards. Fixing it will not be cheap.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> LNP set to secure narrow victory in Qld's October state election

THE Liberal National Party is set to secure a narrow victory in the Queensland state election despite significant approval for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's handling of the coronavirus crisis, according to The Australian's Newspoll.

Having lifted its primary vote by four points on the 2017 poll result, the LNP is ahead of Labor 51-49 per cent after preferences.

But Ms Palaszczuk has the approval of 81 per cent of voters off the back of her handling of COVID-19.

LNP would need to win nine extra seats to secure a majority government, which points to the to the likelihood of a hung parliament, The Australian reports.
According to Newspoll's numbers, six Labor seats would fall to the conservatives, leaving them to form a minority administration with Katter's Australian Party, independents and possibly One Nation.
With a rising Greens vote, up two points from the 2017 election to 12 per cent, Ms Palasz­czuk could turn to the left if Labor falls short of the required 47 seats to govern in its own right.

The poll also shows 64 per cent of voters are satisfied with Ms Palasz­czuk's performance compared to just 34 per cent for Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington.

[verbatim9]

Its been reported in the Couriermail that Steve Dickson is running again as an independent on the Sunshine Coast. He is advocating for free Public Transport on the Sunshine Coast. I am not too keen on such a policy and it will cost rate payers dearly if implemented? It will prevent vital related Public Transport projects from going ahead, due to total erosion of the fare box. Also pushing people onto free buses and trains in the area is usustainable, due to limited frequency and capacity.

Couiermail---> Steve Dickson: former One Nation Qld leader will run for Buderim as independent

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2020/699-2020.pdf

Question on Notice

No. 699

Asked on 14 July 2020

MS S BOLTON ASKED THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND MINISTER FOR JUSTICE (HON Y D'ATH) –

QUESTION:

Will the Attorney-General advise when there will be clarification on the format for the
upcoming state election in terms of postal votes capacity, telephone voting criteria,
volunteers at polling booths and other concerns that have been submitted in response to
what was experienced during the March local government elections?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Noosa for her question.

On 15 July 2020, the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) published a 'Statement of
Intent', which sets out planned election services and health measures to deliver a COVIDsafe State general election on 31 October 2020.
The ECQ is currently planning to deliver a 'mixed model' election, featuring expanded inperson and postal voting options, with telephone voting for eligible electors only.

In addition, a range of health measures will be put in place, based on measures implemented
successfully for the local government elections and in accordance with the advice of Queensland's Chief Health Officer.

Key features of planned election services include:

• expanded voting services to ensure electors have a range of voting options;
• expanded opening hours during early voting from 19-30 October, including an
additional day of early voting on Saturday 24 October;
• applications for postal votes to open early, with additional postal vote capacity and
streamlined postal vote distribution processes;
• additional capacity for telephone voting, with strict eligibility criteria to ensure this
service is available for vulnerable voters who need to use this service;
• special arrangements for 'declared institutions' such as aged care facilities;
• additional capacity for the ECQ call centre; and
• ECQ directions to be issued prior to the election to ensure the safe distribution of
how-to-vote cards and other election material and scrutineering of counting on
election night and through the vote counting process.

Health measures currently planned to protect the health and safety of electors, staff and
political participants include:

• physical distancing measures at all polling places, including maintaining distances of
1.5 metres and using alternate polling screens;
• supplies of hand sanitiser and additional cleaning products to be available at all
polling places;
• voters to be encouraged to bring their own pens or pencils;
• additional staff to be employed for queue control and to assist with ensuring physical
distancing measures are observed; and
• any additional measures recommended by Queensland's Chief Health Officer.

The ECQ will continue to monitor the status of COVID-19 health measures throughout
planning for the election, and will continue to work closely with the Chief Health Officer to
ensure required protections are put in place. Based on this advice, the ECQ will also
consider any necessary changes to the election service delivery model utilising legislative
provisions passed by the Queensland Parliament to facilitate the safe conduct of the
election.

The Statement of Intent for delivery of the 2020 State general election is available on the
ECQ website: https://www.ecq.qld.gov.au and further election information will be published
progressively leading up to the election.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1303851227722076160

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1303907603416637442

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1304928610613039104

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Labor last in every seat: LNP's 'risky' preference move

The LNP has left the door open to preferencing the Greens over Labor in more seats across the state, with the potential move being dubbed risky.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington wouldn't say whether the party would adopt the same strategy it's pledged to implement in the marginal inner-city seat of South Brisbane, instead saying Labor was responsible for Queensland having the highest unemployment rate.

An LNP source said it was their preference to put Labor last across all seats.

But another source said preferencing the Greens ahead of Labor in more seats would be a bad decision, with LNP voters typically finding the minor party "far more objectionable".

The LNP put Labor last in the Bundamba and Currumbin by-elections earlier this year, and has promised to preference the Greens ahead of Labor in South Brisbane in a bid to oust former deputy premier Jackie Trad.

Ms Frecklington said the only way to get Queensland working again was to change the government.

"Labor is responsible for Queensland having the highest unemployment rate in the nation in 2018, 2019 and in February this year all before coronavirus," she said.

"This election will be a decision between the LNP and Labor.

"A vote for a minor party will see Labor re-elected."

Ms Frecklington said the party had introduced a bill to go back to optional preferential voting so Queenslanders didn't have to vote for a party they didn't want to.

"A decision will be made before the election," she said.

When asked whether the party would preference the Greens above Labor in other seats back in April, Ms Frecklington said it was a matter for the party while insisting there would be no deals with minor parties.

Amy McMahon, who is contesting South Brisbane for the Greens, almost unseated Ms Trad at the 2017 election.

Just 498 primary votes separated the two.

An LNP source said 90 per cent of the party's votes didn't get distributed, saying to preference the Greens above Labor would be a risky strategy.

"A lot of our supporters can't abide the Greens," they said.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/SteveMinnikinMP/status/1309698408827875329

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/DebFrecklington/status/1309953024396206080

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1310029424352395264

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ShannonMM9/status/1310018925153796096

[timh]

https://twitter.com/DebFrecklington/status/1309953024396206080

Clearly a just a political ploy to try and win regional votes. I agree with Bailey, and it doesn't seem well thought out or practical

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[ozbob]

ABC --> Who is Deb Frecklington and can she beat Annastacia Palaszczuk in the 2020 Queensland election?

Anyone who follows Queensland politics will have a fair idea of what Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has to offer if her Government secures a third term in the October 31 election.

A second generation career politician with a law degree, the Queensland Premier has led a cautious centre/centre left government for the past six years without major controversy, but with mixed reviews over her reform and economic legacy.

But what of her opponent — effectively the alternative premier, Deb Frecklington?

"She has a big 'who is she?' factor, which is dangerous," said Graham Young, former Liberal Party campaign director and qualitative researcher.

The ABC approached the Opposition's office two months ago for an in-depth interview anytime ahead of the October poll.

Our invitation was declined, and we're still waiting to hear back from the Premier's office about a similar offer. ....]Anyone who follows Queensland politics will have a fair idea of what Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has to offer if her Government secures a third term in the October 31 election.

A second generation career politician with a law degree, the Queensland Premier has led a cautious centre/centre left government for the past six years without major controversy, but with mixed reviews over her reform and economic legacy.

But what of her opponent — effectively the alternative premier, Deb Frecklington?

"She has a big 'who is she?' factor, which is dangerous," said Graham Young, former Liberal Party campaign director and qualitative researcher.

The ABC approached the Opposition's office two months ago for an in-depth interview anytime ahead of the October poll.

Our invitation was declined, and we're still waiting to hear back from the Premier's office about a similar offer. ....

[Stillwater]

The LNP promise to four-lane the Bruce Highway to Cairns is a crock of the proverbial. Deb Frecklington says it is "fully funded". The Bruce Highway falls within the joint state-feds funding arrangements for infrastructure. The federal government picks up 80 per cent of the cost for roads of this type.

So Deb Frecklington is making a promise without first securing an undertaking from the feds to meet 80 per cent of the cost. Talk's cheap when you make a promise that another level of government will have to fund. It is as absurd as me negotiating a mortgage with my bank manager and telling her/him that Ozbob will pay the monthly repayments.

Or is it the 20 per cent state component that is "fully funded"?

Either way, this is just a pollie promise that will allow the Opposition Leader to ride in a semi-trailer up the Queensland coast, through most electorates in the state, stopping at every whistlestop along the way for a photo opportunity with the local LNP candidate. That's all.

And if that is the depth of thinking this good lady is displaying, why should the punters vote for her as Premier?

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1313142157046280192

[ozbob]

It's official .... 

https://twitter.com/QldGovernor/status/1313249924008407040

[ozbob]

ECQ  Candidates for the State general election

https://results.elections.qld.gov.au/Events/VoteCardsView?EventID=597&EventType=1

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ECQInfo/status/1315569256658952192

[BrizCommuter]

It seems to be a case of Incompetent ALP vs Destructive LNP
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2020/10/2020-queensland-state-election.html

[ozbob]

It seems to be a case of Incompetent ALP vs Destructive LNP
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2020/10/2020-queensland-state-election.html

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1317973399285608450

[techblitz]

Missing from your red team points @briz...

Coming up 5 years of labor government and not a single sign that labor wants to get together with the RBTU/Translink/BCC to formulate a new bus review to find efficiencies/increase services etc...

[Fares_Fair]

It was red team that cut the order for the number of NGR trains.. in October 2011 - from 200 x 3 car sets to 75 x 6 car sets.
Blue team awarded the contract to Qtectic in December 2013.

By that original number, we will need another 25 x 6 car sets.
Ordering another 20 is close I guess.
New 6 car trains were announced for $600 million ($30 million each)

I wonder if any other Manufacturer would have an opportunity to Tender for this?
They would have to start up in Maryborough.

[ozbob]

Queensland just gets dumber and dumber by the day ...

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1318670086681501697


https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1318742902391017472

[achiruel]

I'm not so sure, I see some merit in improving the quality of State Route A7. Not so much as alternate route to the Bruce but connecting inland towns that aren't connected by rail (to each other) anyway. Last time I took that road the pavement was ratsh!t.

But yes, the NCL definitely needs a lot of work as well.

[verbatim9]

Queensland just gets dumber and dumber by the day ...

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1318670086681501697


https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1318742902391017472

Even in Europe they can no longer sustain freight on roads. The ideal way to move freight between Cairns and Sydney is by rail. Rail improvements between the two hubs would be substantially cheaper and economically viable. Electric locomotive hauled freight would be the ideal outcome.

[ozbob]

I'm not so sure, I see some merit in improving the quality of State Route A7. Not so much as alternate route to the Bruce but connecting inland towns that aren't connected by rail (to each other) anyway. Last time I took that road the pavement was ratsh!t.

But yes, the NCL definitely needs a lot of work as well.

It is a few token road upgrades, nothing like a ' second Bruce Highway '.  They need to get serious and get the bulk freight off the roads and onto rail.  The roads will break up if there is any real truck traffic.  Every election it is the same, more dumb transport policy.

[ozbob]

FMD!

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1318642822552055809