Premier’s campaign blunder as he forgets candidate
Savannah Meacham and Fraser Barton |
Queensland Premier Steven Miles has suffered a case of election campaign amnesia, forgetting the name of a Labor party candidate while making his latest cost-of-living pitch.
On the hustings ahead of the October 26 poll, Mr Miles was quizzed about Mirani candidate Susan Teder after she did not appear at two press conferences in the electorate this week.
“I’ll find out where they are and let you know,” he told reporters in Stanwell, near Rockhampton, on Thursday.
The premier was probed on Ms Teder’s name but Mr Miles was unable to recall, telling reporters: “I don’t have that detail in front of me”.
The blunder led to a flurry of questions as to why Mr Miles did not know Ms Teder’s name at a press conference in the electorate she was contesting.
However, his memory was finally jogged a few moments later.
“Yeah, of course, it’s Susan,” he said.
The incumbent premier defended the mishap, claiming he had not “memorised” the names of the candidates in all 93 electorates.
Labor is hoping to woo voters in regional electorates like Mirani, which stretches from Mackay to Rockhampton and is held by Katter’s Australian Party MP Stephen Andrew on a nine per cent margin.
Regional areas have been hit hardest by the election’s key issues – youth crime, health, housing and cost-of-living pressures.
Mr Miles’ blunder came as he announced an “energy price guarantee” that household bills would remain lower than the mainland average national electricity market price if elected.
Deputy Premier Cameron Dick said the guarantee was based on the state’s history of lower electricity prices.
But the incumbent government did not confirm whether it was a general commitment or had more specific consequences if electricity prices did exceed the national average.
Meanwhile, LNP leader David Crisafulli promised a purpose-built 24/7 youth mental health facility with six beds in Rockhampton if elected.
It would be the first of two Step Up, Step Down facilities to provide sub-acute mental health care and bridge the transition for youths between the hospital and outpatient system.
Both facilities would cost $50 million, funded by the mental health levy.
After his earlier gaffe, Mr Miles will be hoping for no more slip-ups when he goes head to-head with opposition leader Mr Crisafulli on the Nine Network at 7.30pm (AEST) in Brisbane on Thursday.
A second debate will be held at the Queensland Media Club 10 days before the election.
Mr Miles is gunning for a full term as premier after replacing Annastacia Palaszczuk in December, while Mr Crisafulli hopes to end Labor’s nine-year reign.
Polls are pointing to a change of government on October 26, with the LNP leading 56 to 44 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.
AAP