Peter Dutton eyes victory in Queensland State election ahead of Federal campaign
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will rally the party faithful as the LNP sets its sights on the Queensland election before the party turns its head to winning federal office.
Mr Dutton is set to elaborate on the party’s ambitions during his speech at the annual LNP state conference on Saturday, where he is expected to champion state leader David Crisafulli ahead of October polls.
Then he is set to turn his attention to his federal campaign next year.
This includes addressing his back-to-basics economic plan and the campaign centrepiece of record nuclear energy investment.
Queensland’s shadow environment minister Sam O’Connor said the excitement to hear from the party’s leaders was evident among the 900 delegates at the event.
“There’s very positive vibes in the room,” he told AAP.
But the real energy is focused on winning the October Queensland election with Mr Dutton’s support of the state LNP party to be shouted loud and clear on Saturday, Mr O’Connor said.
“He’s been very supportive of our team,” he said.
“He’s strongly endorsed David (Crisafulli) every time he’s been asked about it, which is great.”
The mood is high at the three-day event as delegates discuss 173 policy items across the three days.
LNP members will debate making pepper spray legal to use in self-defence, abolishing the eSafety Commission and reducing the corporate tax rate to a “globally competitive” setting.
A big-ticket motion called for the state LNP and federal coalition to condemn actions against Jewish people in Australia and provide unwavering support for Israel.
And members will discuss whether the next federal coalition government will sell or privatise the ABC, in the same manner as the Commonwealth Bank and Qantas.
The long agenda sets the scene for the LNP’s desire to regain leadership state and federally at the upcoming elections.
This was spelled out by Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner in his future wish list post-local election win – for all three levels of government to be blue.
“It’s been over a decade since the LNP has held office at all three levels of government, that year was 2012,” he told the packed room on Friday.
“I don’t know about you but I really, really really want to see that happen again.
“The future of Brisbane, the future of Queensland, the future of this nation depends on it with David Crisafulli as premier and Peter Dutton as prime minister.”
Nationals leader David Littleproud will also address the conference on Saturday followed by Mr Crisafulli on Sunday.
SOURCE: THENIGHTLY