Australian PM Won’t Sway Qld Voters, Premier Says

Australian PM Won’t Sway Qld Voters, Premier Says
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks during a press conference in Brisbane, Australia on June 16, 2020. (Jono Searle/Getty Images)
AAP
By AAP
10/9/2020
Updated:
10/9/2020

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has joined QLD Liberal National Party leader Deb Frecklington on the hustings on the Gold Coast on the fifth day of the campaign.

The pair are visiting local manufacturers in boost to Frecklington, who has been struggling in the polls.

Palaszczuk is also on Glitter Strip to pledge a $30 million funding boost to Surf Life Saving Queensland.

She says the prime minister is always welcome in her state, but insisted that his visit wouldn’t sway voters.

“Queenslanders are smart people, they know it’s a state election, it’s not a federal election, it’s a state election,” the premier said.

Palaszczuk also said she would always welcome Labor ally and federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese in her state.

The prime minister is almost certain to again take aim at Palaszczuk over the state’s border closures.

He’s been campaigning against the restrictions across broadcast media, claiming they are uncompassionate to families and damaging the economy.

Aside from the border issue, the prime minister may also speak about funding for the LNP’s big-ticket plan to widen 1450km of the Bruce Highway.

Frecklington has committed to funding a $50 million project study and then $440 million peryear for the next 15 years.

The huge project requires the federal government to cover 80 percent of the cost, but so far it has only committed $20 million.

Queenslanders go to the polls on October 31.

Marty Silk in Brisbane