The Queensland opposition leader, Tim Nicholls, has called on Annastacia Palaszczuk to announce the date of the state election which could be declared as early as this week.
On Radio National on Monday Nicholls ruled out any “deals” to form government, a coalition with or cabinet positions for One Nation, but did not rule out a preference deal or accepting supply and confidence from the minor party.
Palaszczuk returns to work on Monday after a short holiday, with the Queensland election due any time between now and 5 May 2018.
On Sunday a new Reachtel poll of 4,000 voters found the Labor government will struggle to retain power with the Liberal National party leading it 52% to 48% on a two-party preferred basis.
Labor had a primary vote of 32.1%, compared with 30.6% for the LNP and 18.1% for One Nation, highlighting its potential role as a kingmaker in the election which will be the first since Labor reintroduced compulsory preferences.
The Palaszczuk government is considering whether to call an election for late October or early November, or wait until February and hope some of One Nation’s shine has worn off.
Nicholls said whenever the election is called the LNP is “ready to go any time”.
“I simply say to the Queensland premier, stop playing games, it’s creating an enormous amount of business uncertainty up here,” he said.
Nicholls said since the parliament had set fixed four-year terms and the election was due from October, the premier should “come clean now and tell us what the election date is”.
Nicholls said there is “no doubt there is voter disenchantment with the major parties ... and that means we have to work hard to articulate a clear vision for Queensland”.
The opposition leader said it would fight the election on jobs, infrastructure and the cost of living, “including a 70% wholesale increase in the cost of power”.
Asked about sharing power with One Nation, Nicholls replied: “We’ve been very clear, that there are no deals, there’s no coalition and there’s no room at the cabinet table for One Nation.”
He said that One Nation didn’t share the LNP’s values and, although it was very good at “highlighting where there is a problem”, it was “not so good at coming up with answers”.
Nicholls criticised Palaszczuk for reintroducing compulsory preferences, saying it was “an attempt to shore up inner city seats with Green votes” and warning that “a Labor and Greens alliance” would be a “disaster” for Queensland.
On the issue of the LNP’s preferences, Nicholls said “recommendations as to preferences will be a matter determined by the party as we get closer to the election date”, in effect not ruling out a preference deal with One Nation.
Asked about the Liberal preference deal with One Nation in the Western Australian election, Nicholls said there were many differences in that election in which the incumbent Barnett government attempted to win a third term.
Nicholls said One Nation opposed exploration or development of gas reserves, suggesting jobs from gas development will be a major issue at the election. On Sunday the federal government indicated it could use the GST to try to force states to end bans on preventing gas developments.
.png?w=600)
