LNP DEFENDS DIRT FILE
THE LNP has been accused of gutter politics as the Government concentrates on the coronavirus crisis. The Opposition has dropped a dirt file in letterboxes in Gaven targeting Labor leaders as it prepares to contest the marginal seat at the October election. It yesterday defended the move, saying: “Annastacia Palaszczuk attacked the Prime Minister constantly at the start of this crisis, so it’s a bit rich now when the heat is turned up on Labor’s record for them to cry foul.”
THE LNP has dropped a dirt sheet against Labor in the Gold Coast marginal electorate of Gaven during the peak of the coronavirus scare – and it has split opinion.
The leaflets make reference to the State Government’s performance on health using newspaper headlines from last year, including one which read “Some Queensland hospitals still without basic supplies”.
Other headlines include “Besieged Premier branded weak” and feature a photograph of Annastacia Palaszczuk with Treasurer Jackie Trad, whom the LNP claim are “only in it for themselves and you’re paying”.
A Highland Park resident told the Bulletin: “I had a quick read and threw it in the bin. I also got something in the mail from Ros Bates, the Mudgeeraba MP, and thought you can really tell an election is on.
“I just see this as really negative,” the medical worker said. “We should be all working together. I was really disappointed with the LNP. The State Government is doing a good job.”
A Nerang resident questioned the timing of the brochure given the health crisis.
“There are bigger things to worry about at the moment than scoring political points. It’s based on issues a long time ago (about the hospital admissions). Their resources could be spent a lot better by spreading a positive message,” he said.
But Ms Bates, the LNP’s health spokesperson and key Coast campaigner, was unapologetic about the messaging.
The tactics are similar to those used in the recent Currumbin
poll, won narrowly by the LNP’s Laura Gerber over Labor’s Kaylee Campradt.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor are using the coronavirus crisis to avoid scrutiny on their abysmal record and I won’t be silenced,” Ms Bates said.
“Under Jackie Trad, Labor is the only state in Australia not delivering a budget and it’s clear Labor has no economic plan. I will stand up for my community on important local issues like upgrading Worongary Road, every day of the week.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk attacked the Prime Minister constantly at the start of this crisis, so it’s a bit rich now when the heat is turned up on Labor’s record for them to cry foul.”
Labor MP Meaghan Scanlon, who faces a tough battle to retain the marginal Gaven seat at the October poll, said everyone had put politics aside to work together against the COVID-19 pandemic apart from Queensland’s LNP.
“How does this brand of politics help anyone?” she said.
“Long before the pandemic, Annastacia Palaszczuk was saying ‘we work best when we work together’. She has backed those words with her actions in supporting the Prime Minister and national cabinet.
“While the Queensland LNP does this, my focus is on reaching out to people who are doing it tough and ensuring the health and wellbeing of our community.”