Premier vague on poll date
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk says people should “chill out” and stop speculating on the election date, while refusing to rule out interrupting the next parliamentary sitting week by calling a snap poll.
Ms Palaszczuk, who announced Brisbane Airport was adopting biojet fuel trials, was coy when asked whether Parliament would sit for the full three days next week.
“I hope so,” she said. “I’m expecting it to.”
Ms Palaszczuk then criticised speculation on possible election dates.
“The only people asking about the election are journalists,” she said.
“Not one person from the public has come up to me and asked about the election.
“Let’s stop the speculation, let’s everybody chill out and let’s relax. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Ms Palaszczuk could call an election during the sitting week, which is expected to be used to pass at least two key Bills on industrial manslaughter and security of payment for subcontractors.
But the move would be highly unusual, with regional Labor MPs forced to make their way back to their electorates from Brisbane before they could start campaigning.
The election is due by May next year, but is expected later this year.
Deputy Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said the Premier’s comments telling media to “chill out” showed she was out of touch.