Queensland election: Labor Premier Steven Miles and David Crisafulli agree LNP leader should 'sack himself'
Premier Steven Miles and Opposition Leader David Crisafulli could both agree on one thing but for different reasons - the opposition leader should sack himself.
In the first of three debates before the October 26 poll, the premier said Mr Crisafulli should sack himself for billions of dollars in unfunded commitments.
“You’ve got $16 billion of unfunded commitments. You should sack yourself,” Mr Miles said on Thursday.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Mr Crisafulli instead said he would sack himself if he failed to drive down crime in his first term.
The opposition leader, if elected, will legislate the LNP’s “Making Queensland Safer” laws by Christmas, which includes adult sentences for adult crimes for youths.
When pressed, Mr Crisafulli said he would resign if crime numbers did not decrease during the four-year term.
“If there aren’t fewer victims, I don’t think I’ll be in a very good position,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“If there aren’t fewer victims, you won’t be seeing me.
“So you’ll stand down?” Nine Network’s Tim Arvier asked.
“Yes,” the LNP leader replied.
Labor has accused the LNP of running a scare campaign on youth crime and politicising the issue.
Mr Crisafulli said he offered “hope” and change to Queenslanders after a nine-year reign by Labor.
But the premier hit back during the one-hour debate that focused on key election issues in housing, health, energy, the cost of living, and crime.
“Four-word slogans in opposition might work great, but in government, you need to deliver plans,” Mr Miles said.
The pair had moments of agreeance indicating there would be no rent caps or deals done with crossbenchers in the event of no parliamentary majority.
Both were later asked what they liked about each other before conducting closing statements.
The premier said he respected anyone putting their hand up to lead Queensland while Mr Crisafulli pointed to his rival’s humble beginnings.
“I love that he’s come from humble beginnings, his dad was a factory worker and I bet he’s proud of him,” Mr Crisafulli said.
Earlier in the debate, Mr Miles attacked the opposition leader about his time as a director of a failed training company, which went into liquidation owing millions to creditors.
