<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>331806</docID> <postdate>2024-10-26 13:01:05</postdate> <headline>Queensland voters brace for election cliffhanger</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-331807" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241026175187196801-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="612" /></p> <caption>Queenslanders are going to the polls, although half of the state's voters cast their ballot early. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By<strong> Savannah Meacham</strong> and <strong>Fraser Barton</strong> in Brisbane</span></p> <p><strong>Queenslanders are deciding who will become premier after a rollercoaster four-week campaign.</strong></p> <p>Premier Steven Miles and Liberal National Party leader David Crisafulli cast their votes on Saturday morning and face a nervous wait after the race to govern tightened in the final days of campaigning.</p> <p>Mr Crisafulli was tipped to end the Labor government's nine-year reign after dominating polling early.</p> <p>But Mr Miles has made ground after a final campaign blitz, indicating the election race might have a photo finish.</p> <p>In Brisbane on Saturday, Mr Crisafulli and his wife Kim cast their votes at Kallangur State School while Mr Crisafulli and his wife Tegan voted at Springwood State High School.</p> <p>Mr Crisafulli told reporters he was getting around the booths to thank his party's volunteers and to spread the message that Queenslanders "deserve better than what you're getting".</p> <p>Mr Miles said he wanted to win a term in his own right after taking over from Annastacia Palaszczuk after she resigned in late 2023.</p> <p>He wanted a chance to deliver on the promises he had made to Queenslanders, the premier told reporters on Saturday.</p> <p>Nearly half of Queensland's voters have already made up their minds, casting their ballot early.</p> <p>The remainder will enjoy a democracy sausage on Saturday, with Labor hoping to secure a fourth-straight term.</p> <p>The LNP is aiming to form its first government since Campbell Newman's 2012-2015 stint.</p> <p>Labor has governed Queensland for 30 of the past 35 years.</p> <p>"Being the state's premier these last 10 months is the greatest honour of my life," Mr Miles has said.</p> <p>"I have endeavoured to ... make sure every single one of those minutes count."</p> <p>He made the most of his last days on the campaign trail, visiting 36 seats in 36 hours.</p> <p>Both leaders have campaigned hard on key election issues youth crime, housing, health and cost-of-living pressures.</p> <p>But abortion emerged as a major talking point in the past fortnight after a crossbencher vowed to repeal the legislation if elected.</p> <p>Abortion was decriminalised in Queensland in 2018.</p> <p>Mr Crisafulli has been under enormous pressure in the past two weeks, repeatedly refusing to explain how he would guarantee abortion laws would not change.</p> <p>It has coincided with LNP's dip in the polls.</p> <p>The latest Newspoll conducted for The Australian newspaper showed Mr Miles rated as a better premier at 45 per cent compared to 42 per cent for Mr Crisafulli.</p> <p>But the LNP remained ahead on a two-party preferred basis at 52 to Labor's 47 per cent.</p> <p>The LNP did not reveal its costings until Thursday, including changes that would save almost $7 billion on consultancies and contractors.</p> <p>Labor claimed it meant the LNP would cut public service jobs to keep the budget in the black.</p> <p>Mr Crisafulli said Labor's nine years in power had led to a lack of government accountability or transparency.</p> <p>"It's getting worse and for the sake of this great state, Queenslanders have to vote for change," he said.</p> <p>Robbie Katter, the leader of Katter's Australian Party, which has four MPs and is fielding 11 candidates, told the Nine Network he was open to doing a deal with the LNP and his party could become a powerbroker.</p> <p>"It's a really good opportunity for the LNP to grab hold and partner with a party that can really turn the tide on things," he said on Saturday.</p> <p>On the abortion issue, Mr Katter said that would be tested in parliament.</p> <p>"It wasn't our priority, but we've pushed on it and we'll stand up for what we believe in."</p> <p>Labor has 51 seats and the LNP 35.</p> <p>A party needs 47 seats for majority government.</p> <p>https://citynews.com.au/2024/incompetent-labor-doomed-in-queensland/</p> </body>