Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Politics
Savannah Meacham and Fraser Barton

Premier makes a splash in the polls as race narrows

Queensland Premier Steven Miles cruised into Southport on a jet ski on election eve. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

Queensland's premier has zipped and swerved his way to election eve, with the opposition seeking to maintain pole position.

With polling indicating Saturday's election will be closer than previously anticipated, both Labor and the Liberal National Party opposition have ruled out doing deals with the crossbench in the event of a minority government.

Riding a wave of momentum, Premier Steven Miles donned boardies and cruised into Southport on a jet ski, splashing reporters as he arrived in style at the 27th seat in his blitz of 36 electorates in 36 hours.

"It was lots of fun ... bit choppy out there," the drenched premier said as he made it to land.

"I need a towel," he added as he strode away in a saturated campaign T-shirt and squeaking thongs.

With almost half of Queenslanders having already cast their ballots, a Newspoll conducted for The Australian pointed to a tight battle for the remaining votes.

The LNP remained ahead on a two-party preferred basis, 52-47 per cent, while Mr Miles rated a better premier at 45 per cent with LNP leader David Crisafulli on 42 per cent.

Mr Crisafulli was hauled over the coals by his rival on Friday for backflipping on his somewhat sensational pledge to quit the top job if crime numbers don't improve under his watch.

David Crisafulli
David Crisafulli has faced scrutiny over his tough promises on crime. (Russell Freeman/AAP PHOTOS)

The opposition leader clarified that the numbers he had staked his future on would be based on population growth rather than raw data.

"We are not going to have a situation where victim numbers continue to rise over and above population growth," he told reporters in Caloundra.

"You want less victims as a ratio of your population."

The backflip did not impress Mr Miles who accused Mr Crisafulli of an eleventh-hour change of heart to save his skin.

"He has said population growth is no excuse for an increase in victims," he said from Nerang. 

"Now he's saying, 'Oh, that wasn't an excuse for the Labor government but it will be my excuse'."

Mr Crisafulli also could not escape criticism over the abortion debate that has plagued his campaign for weeks.

Labor staffer at David Crisafulli event
David Crisafulli was heckled over his position on abortion by a Labor staffer. (Russell Freeman/AAP PHOTOS)

He was confronted by a woman on his stance on a conscience vote before it quickly became apparent she was a staffer for Pumicestone Labor MP Ali King.

LNP volunteers quickly pounced, asking the woman to "take off your jacket" and "show your true colours".

Labor polling reported by The Courier-Mail showed Katter's Australian Party winning two of three seats in Townsville, which Mr Crisafulli had been relying on to secure a majority.

But Mr Crisafulli confirmed there will be no deal and did not rule out sending Queenslanders back to the polls if the LNP didn't win a majority.

Similarly, Mr Miles ruled out the option of a coalition with the Greens or Katters as he seeks to win a term in his own right after taking over the reins from Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Steven Miles
Queensland Premier Steven Miles tucked into a pie during a visit to Yatala. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

As Mr Miles chomped down on pies and Mr Crisafulli hit pre-poll booths, questions remained over the costings released by both parties with the LNP promising to make nearly $7 billion in savings by cutting external consultancy costs.

Treasurer Cameron Dick said it was impossible to make those savings when spending on consultants was $50 million a year.

"The only way you can get to $2 billion in savings a year is through cutting jobs," he said.

Mr Dick said $2 billion a year in wages equated to 17,000 jobs.

But Mr Crisafulli maintained the plan for savings stacked up, claiming there has been a 12 per cent increase annually in consultancy costs, which the government denies.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.