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Wed. Oct 23rd, 2024

Undecided voters are the final test for leadership contenders

Undecided voters are the final test for leadership contenders

Two men vying for the Queensland leadership will be grilled by undecided voters on key election issues in the final of three election debates in Brisbane.

Premier Stephen Miles and Opposition Leader David Crisafulli will face off again in a televised debate on Tuesday, four days before voters head to the polls.

More than a fifth of the Sunshine State’s 3.68 million eligible voters cast ballots early.

Mr Crisafulli has been an active campaigner for crime and health as his Queensland tour draws to a close.

In both previous debates, he sensationally staked his claim to leadership on major issues.

Mr Crisafulli said he would resign if crime did not fall under an LNP government and vowed to do the same if his team made any changes to abortion laws.

Abortion laws have become a thorn in the side of the LNP after a Conservative MP threw a grenade at its feet, saying he would introduce a private members’ bill to change the laws.

Mr. Miles largely focused on cost of living and health, visiting marginalized areas of the East Coast.

The premier is seeking his four-year term after replacing former leader Annastacia Palaszczuk in December.

He led the state down a renewable energy path through legislation to reduce emissions.

Both major parties are downplaying the significance of any transition to nuclear power, as suggested by Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

Mr Dutton is aiming to build seven nuclear power stations across Australia if he becomes president in 2025.

Two of these sites are at Queensland’s existing power stations at Taronga and Callida.

Nuclear power is banned by law in Queensland and the Prime Minister will call a plebiscite on the issue at the 2025 federal election if Labor wins within four days.

“I have told Queenslanders I will use every force available to block Peter Dutton’s plan,” the premier told reporters in Cairns.

“And you know David Crisafulli wouldn’t do that.”

David Crisafulli and Steven Miles
David Crisafulli and Steven Miles clashed over issues such as crime and abortion law reform. Image by Darren England/Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS

Mr Crisafulli has consistently said that the transition to nuclear energy is not part of the LNP’s plans.

He leads the government 55% to 45% based on bipartisan preference, according to the latest News Corp poll.

“I just say to Queenslanders: ‘If you want change, you have to vote for change,'” Mr Crisafulli said.

“The intimidation campaigns being carried out by the state government at the moment show how desperate they are.

“Queenslanders know our plan, they know we’re going to the polls and they know they need a fresh start.”

Tuesday’s debate, co-hosted by Sky News and the Courier Mail, will be televised from 7.30pm (AEDT).

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