No deals, but Deb keen to talk up ‘great working relationships’
Liberal National Party leader Deb Frecklington says she has great relationships with all MPs including key crossbenchers ahead of the knife-edge Queensland election.
Former Queensland LNP leader Deb Frecklington attended one of the two functions being investigated. (Photo: AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
She again avoided a question about the prospect of minority government while announcing $35 million in funding for a roundabout at Carrara on the Gold Coast on Wednesday.
Frecklington is refusing to reveal her plans if voters deliver a hung parliament, but she’s talked up her relationships with all MPs including key crossbenchers such as Sandy Bolton and Robbie Katter.
“I have a great working relationship with all parliamentarians,” she told reporters.
“And I am someone who always says hello, always says big g’days, no matter who it is and where they are because we’re all Queenslanders and I just don’t believe in giving someone a snub because they might not have the same political beliefs as me, and that goes for the premier as well.”
The LNP leader also said she plans to make public service departments more efficient by being a “good government” but has ruled out cutting the Queensland Heath budget.
Labor have announced a plan to make medical procedures 2.0 per cent more efficient to save more than $1 billion in health funding over four years.
Frecklington wouldn’t reveal her own plans to make the public sector more efficient but said it would be revealed in her costings release on Thursday.
“We’ll have costings announcements tomorrow but what I’ll say is this, the Labor Party need to explain to the hard-working, doctors and nurses of Queensland Health, how much more they expect of them,” the LNP leader said.
“These are men and women on the front line.”
Frecklington was to face off with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in a leaders debate later on Wednesday afternoon.
The pair have crossed paths at least twice so far on the campaign, in Townsville and Mackay, but they will finally share the stage.
The economic recovery from the COVID-19 recession is set to be the primary topic, along with the state’s border closure and crime.
The Sky News/The Courier-Mail People’s Forum will involve a crowd of undecided voters picked by News Corp Australia asking both leaders questions.
Queensland polling day is on Saturday.
-AAP
