ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
As Queensland heads to the polls today, a debate rages on in the carpark of the Green Street State School voting station in Betoota Heights, with one older voter finding himself baffled by the current state of the Liberal National Party (LNP).
His pointed question to an LNP volunteer has opened up a unique political discourse.
“So, the LNP is just Labor but pro-abortion and entirely beholden to a faction of Bible-thumping maniacs?”
The volunteer, dressed in his best business casual, fumbled to explain how the LNP, led by David Crisafulli, aims to address crime, bolster the economy, and “put power back in the hands of Queenslanders”.
All while sidestepping the party’s alignment with socially conservative religious factions. Crisafulli’s hardline stance on crime and steadfast appeal to regional Queensland has some conservatives reeling at the party’s evolving stance on issues like abortion.
“Look, we’re still conservative, and we still care about traditional values, but we’re not all that conservative,” said the volunteer.
“It’s a, uh, a big tent, alright? Everyone fits in… or at least most people do,” he added, hinting at the tension caused by LNP’s alliances with socially conservative groups that have become more vocal, especially in the lead-up to today’s election.
Meanwhile, Labor has taken a more pragmatic route by collaborating with Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) in regional areas. As agrarian socialists, KAP is less concerned behind closed doors with progressive social issues like abortion, focusing instead on regional economic priorities.
This has allowed Labor to pick up key preferences from KAP without alienating too many socially progressive voters in urban Queensland while also avoiding LNP’s Bible-belt baggage. This calculated alliance not only helps Labor secure KAP-leaning voters but also maintains Labor’s position without heavily leaning into contentious social policies. A win for both parties, with KAP looking to score more conservative rural votes by siding with the LNP in hotly contested Townsville, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay seats.
“That’s the difference,” said the older voter as he glanced back at the Labor and KAP volunteers nearby.
“Labor’s at least trying to keep everyone happy without handing over their whole platform to a bunch of evangelicals. Who’s pulling the strings here? God, or the bloke actually running for Premier?”
More to come.
