Queensland Opposition leader David Crisafulli has pledged to step down if crime numbers do not go down under a Liberal National Party government.
Mr Crisafulli made the commitment in a tense leadership debate with incumbent Premier Steven Miles when pressed on crime, a pertinent issue in the Sunshine State ahead of the October 26 poll.
The LNP leader said Queenslanders had heard the same rhetoric from a nearly 10-year Labor government and victim numbers were the statistics that mattered.
Mr Crisafulli has indicated the LNP’s “Making Queensland Safer” laws will be legislated by Christmas, which includes adult sentences for adult crimes for youths.
When pressed, Mr Crisafulli said he would resign if crime numbers did not decrease during the four-year term.
“If there aren’t fewer victims, I don’t think I’ll be in a very good position,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“If there aren’t fewer victims, you won’t be seeing me.
“So you’ll stand down?” Nine Network’s Tim Arvier asked.
“Yes,” the LNP leader replied.
Mr Crisafulli’s comments sparked one of many fiery exchanges in the one-hour debate that focused on the leaders’ plans for the state across energy, health, housing, cost-of-living and crime.
When given time to ask each other a question, Mr Crisafulli probed Mr Miles whether he regrets weakening youth justice laws in 2015.
Mr Miles took the opportunity to ask how and when the LNP will provide full costings for their promises with early voting opening on October 14.
Thursday’s debate marked the conclusion of day three of the election campaign during which Mr Miles briefly forgot the name of a party candidate when making a cost-of-living pitch.
Mr Miles was quizzed about Mirani candidate Susan Teder after she did not appear at two press conferences in the electorate this week.
“I’ll find out where they are and let you know,” he told reporters in Stanwell, near Rockhampton.
The premier was probed on Ms Teder’s name but Mr Miles was unable to recall, telling reporters: “I don’t have that detail in front of me”.
The blunder led to a flurry of questions as to why Mr Miles did not know Ms Teder’s name at a press conference in the electorate she was contesting.
However, his memory was finally jogged a few moments later.
“Yeah, of course, it’s Susan,” he said.
The incumbent premier defended the mishap, claiming he had not “memorised” the names of the candidates in all 93 electorates.
Labor is hoping to woo voters in regional electorates like Mirani, which stretches from Mackay to Rockhampton and is held by Katter’s Australian Party MP Stephen Andrew on a nine per cent margin.
Regional areas have been hit hardest by the election’s key issues.
Mr Miles announced an “energy price guarantee” that household bills would remain lower than the mainland average national electricity market price if elected.
Deputy Premier Cameron Dick said the guarantee was based on the state’s history of lower electricity prices.
But the incumbent government did not confirm whether it was a general commitment or had more specific consequences if electricity prices did exceed the national average.
Meanwhile, Mr Crisafulli promised a purpose-built 24/7 youth mental health facility with six beds in Rockhampton if elected.
It would be the first of two Step Up, Step Down facilities to provide sub-acute mental health care and bridge the transition for youths between the hospital and outpatient system.
Both facilities would cost $50 million, funded by the mental health levy.
Mr Miles is gunning for a full term as premier after replacing Annastacia Palaszczuk in December, while Mr Crisafulli hopes to end Labor’s nine-year reign.
Polls are pointing to a change of government on October 26, with the LNP leading 56 to 44 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.
The pair will engage in a second debate at the Queensland Media Club 10 days before the election.
