Palaszczuk’s opportunity for our votes

TOWNSVILLE voters have long memories.

This is a community of strong opinions, one that is not afraid to force tangible change.

This was evident at the last state election in 2015, when Campbell Newman’s LNP suffered a stunning defeat, losing power in a historic swing against the party.

The fierce backlash to Newman’s poorly sold privatisation policy and, to a lesser extent, public service job cuts was swift and resolute.

All three local seats, Mundingburra, Townsville and Thuringowa, fell like dominoes.

It was a harsh political lesson and one Annastacia Palaszczuk and her cabinet need to heed going into the next election.

For many, tomorrow’s budget will be a deciding factor in whether the incumbents will be allowed to be continue for a second term at the controls of our great state.

Townsville voters have made it very clear what needs to be addressed in order to gain our support.

Providing water security, reversing soaring electricity prices, creating jobs and slashing crime rates – addressing these issues are the key to votes in Townsville.

The solutions are not simple, but the Government must work them out or face the chop.

Voters have laid out a very clear roadmap for success in our city, which is shaping up to be a key battleground at the next election, just as it was in 2015.

And it’s a roadmap Ms Palaszczuck cannot pretend to be ignorant of.

The Bulletin and the people of Townsville have highlighted the city’s ongoing concerns with those issues time and time again.

All the North is asking for is a fair go amid mounting evidence of the reverse.

Our city has the second highest unemployment rate in the state, outpointed only by outback communities.

Taxpayers are forking out more than $ 113 million each year to support Townsville residents who are on the dole, many of whom are desperately trying to get work that just isn’t there.

Residents and businesses are being crippled by the burden of low wages growth, soaring cost- of- living pressure and ever- tightening water restrictions.

Meanwhile Townsville faces some of the worst crime rates in the state as police plead for more resources.

These issues are not beyond the state’s reach to fix. Tomorrow’s budget will reveal just how much Ms Palaszczuck, Treasurer Curtis Pitt and the cabinet value the voters of Townsville.