PAULINE IS BACK IN TOWN

THE LNP has the most to lose but both major parties will be shocked to see the extent of One Nation’s gains on the Gold Coast ahead of a Queensland election due before May 6 next year.

Polling conducted by ReachTEL puts support for Pauline Hanson’s party at 18.5 per cent.

Much of that gain has been at the expense of the LNP which was polling at 48 per cent a few years ago but has slumped to 31.8 per cent now, according to the poll.

Ms Hanson’s message is clearly resonating on the Coast, a region which has been staunchly LNP in recent history bar a period during the Beattie-Bligh years.

But there is a figure that will be equally troubling to both the LNP and Labor: 70 per cent. That is the proportion of people who say they are now opposed to the proposed ASF casino-resort being handed public land on The Spit.

The question, phrased by the anti-ASF group that commissioned the poll, was somewhat loaded and designed to catch the attention of those who take a dim view of foreign ownership.

This would seem to the natural territory of the One Nation voter and indeed 65 per cent were opposed to the idea.

But they were not alone. LNP voters were almost identically opposed at 64 per cent and Labor voters more so (75 per cent).

This is a problem for the big two parties because both have given tacit support to the multibillion-dollar project.

A clear majority of their voter bases do not feel the same way and One Nation is poised to scoop up these people given it has committed to stopping the development if it is given the chance. This is difficult territory to tread. So much of the recent investment in the Gold Coast originates in China.

The Chinese are building our highrises, buying our luxury homes, filling our hotels and universities.

That money is flowing to local businesses and families and has helped insulate the Coast from the stagnation plaguing many other Queensland centres.

Slamming the door on ASF at this point would send a message to other would-be investors. In any case, the scene is set for an intriguing state election.