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POWERBROKERS WOO FNQ OVER JOBS AND PLAN FOR SECOND CHOPPER
THE spectre of a potential LNP-One Nation coalition has repeatedly raised its head during Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s visit to Cairns.
It was a well-worn theme for the Labor Leader as she fielded questions from Queensland-wide media during a media conference at a worksite where three young apprentices had been hired.
Ms Palaszczuk was there ostensibly to discuss the State Government’s Back to Work Program – used by more than 560 employers in the Cairns region to employ almost 1300 staff – but crossbench deals quickly became the topic of the morning.
She said she would not contemplate having a conversation about deals with any crossbenchers in the event of a hung Parliament.
“I have said no deals,” she reiterated.
“There is so much at risk in Queensland.
“I am going for a majority Labor government.
“The alternative is Tim Nicholls and One Nation.
“You know they have divergent views on policies. I will always put Queenslanders first.”
Treasurer Curtis Pitt rejected the suggestion Ms Palaszczuk has made the no-deals commitment unilaterally, saying it had the full support of her frontbench.
“The Premier has had conversations with all of her Cabinet colleagues and it is important to note that this is something that we stand our principles on,” he said.
“We do not share the values of One Nation.
“We don’t, obviously, agree with the approach the LNP takes. When you put those two together in some kind of Frankenstein marriage, it’s only going to spell disaster for Queensland.”
Mr Pitt was grilled over the state’s finances, telling reporters Queensland’s total debt was predicted to fall just short of the $81 billion estimated in June’s Budget.
“There is no case in Queensland where you will ever see zero debt, let’s be clear about that,” he said.
“We have to ensure that we manage it, and make sure that we don’t sacrifice the economy in the process.
“Now we’ve got Pauline Hanson coming out saying we’ve got to rein in the Budget.”
He said Labor’s costings would be released prior to Saturday’s election, but announcements still had to be made before they could be released.
Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls earlier this week said he would “work with the Parliament that the people of Queensland provide” – his strongest sign so far that he would consider a deal with One Nation or other minor parties or independents.