1. 1st female elected as Premier in any state in Australia.
2. Over 2.4 million votes cast.
3. 397 candidates competed for 89 seats.
4. ALP retained government with 51 seats (down from 59 in 2006).
5. LNP won 34 seats (up from the coalition’s 25 in 2006).
6. Other parties won 4 seats.

QldVoice.org Stats

1. 3 hours to build the site.
2. 5 contributing writers (thanks for your efforts!).
3. 36 blog posts in 3 weeks.
4. 221 votes cast in our own polls.
5. 1300 visitors.
6. 99 Twitter updates.

See you next election!

The DS4SEQ’s whole platform is to bring daylight savings to the southern-eastern region of Queensland (their solution and proposed “time boundary” here). That’s it. No electoral reform. No policy regarding infrastructure spending for Queensland as a whole. No fiscal policy. No mention of how they’ll solve the health debacle. If fact, if my maths are right (and they probably aren’t), even if all 32 DS4SEQ candidates get in – and there’s little chance of that happening – then they won’t even have the numbers to get their proposed plan passed into law.

Critics say that the party is simply moving the current problem faced by Coolangatta/Tweed Heads residents north for Burrum Heads and 1770 residents to deal with. They say a party with only one policy has as much place in this election as Warwick Capper. “They” may be right, but that’s not stopping DS4SEQ.

I’ll offer I’m a massive fan of daylight savings, having lived in New South Wales a bit in the last 20 years, and I enjoyed it immensely. I’ve been a massive supporter and spruiker of the concept with anyone who’ll stand still long enough to listen. I do, however, appreciate the divisiveness of splitting the state in implementing daylight savings, and I also get the difficulty it would be for people towards Cairns if daylight savings were thrust upon them. Western Australia have been trialling daylight savings for the whole state for the last 3 years, and while I’m sure it’s not great for people in Derby and Kununurra, the people in WA will have their say soon enough after having lived “the benefits” in preparation for a state wide referendum. In Queensland… I think as much fun as the DS4SEQ party is, I do not think they’re gonna have much luck this time around.

Technologically, the DS4SEQ party are keeping it all together. Their website is good, their Twitter account is fairly active and is used to highlight stuff the party is doing (like their launch). Their party leader, Jason Furze, semi-regularly blogs for the party faithful (that’s not a criticism – I’m sure it’s because he’s really busy). They could be getting video footage on to their website a little quicker – where is that launch footage? – and they should have claimed their own YouTube site by now (and if they have, I can’t find it and not for lack of trying).

Will the DS4SEQ party make a dint in this election campaign? I think they are getting their voice heard. I think they are managing to keep daylight savings an issue on the Queensland political agenda. I think they are hopeful that one or two candidates *might* be elected this time around. I hope they stick around… and I hope they offer some other well thought out and productive policies soon, or for their next tilt at an election.

The DS4SEQ party are quick to remind us “It’s about time”… I would offer, however catchy their campaign platform/slogan might be, that it’s a relatively short-sighted view on Queensland politics.

In a media release [link to .pdf], DS4SEQ expresses delight at the number of candidates who nominated. From the media release:

“The electorates to be contested are within the South East Queensland region and extend from the Gold Coast throughout Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and as north as Hervey Bay. We believe this to be a fantastic feat, given that DS4SEQ has only been a political party for 3 months.”

The party is promoting itself as “a party for all of Queensland”, not just for the South-East portion of the state, and feels that its policy “is a compromise that respects the needs of regional and rural Queenslanders, while also giving fair consideration to the view of the majority of residents in South East Queensland.”

With regard to how the party recommends voters fill out their voting cards, DS4SEQ is not running a ‘Just Vote One’ campaign. Voters are urged to vote 1 for DS4SEQ and then preference the other candidates in their electorate based on their personal choice.

The full list of candidates is here.

The blog of DS4SEQ Party Leader, Jason Furze, is here.

You can interact with DS4SEQ on social networking site, Twitter, here.

His campaign launch in the streets of Beaudesert was the expected media circus. Kissing shop dummies, letting ladies grope his “chassis”, etc. My favourite moment was a guy in a motorised scooter telling him “you’re a complete idiot. Goodbye.” and scooting off. It became obvious in the last couple of days that his tilt at government was sponsored by lad’s mag Zoo Weekly, with the publication supplying the obligatory bikini-clad blonde bimbos for Capper’s first street walk and his t-shirt. The whole circus, however, has gone awry with no one actually signing Capper up as a candidate for the seat by the 12 midday deadline yesterday.

Capper blames the mag: “they were organising everything”. The mag haven’t said a thing, or even made mention of it on their website (the most I could find was a side poll yesterday – who would you vote for? Pauline Hanson or Warwick Capper?). Perhaps the results of the poll made the publisher’s of Zoo rethink their advertising budget going to support a guy that most of their online readership wouldn’t vote or cross the road for – ok, they may cross the road, but only to punch Capper in his tanned face.

The truly puzzling thing about Capper’s reason for attempting to run is some of his comments. He’d offered to star in ‘another’ adult film if elected (that’s enough for anyone NOT to vote for him); he’d offered to swap his BMW for a Hummer if elected (huh?!); and had simple ideas when it came to actual policy. Trying to drum up some attention for your new coffee shop is one thing; toying with the electorate is entirely another.

—

If you’re interested in finding out who is standing in your seat, or anywhere for that matter, check out the candidates list on the ECQ website.

This morning, at her official campaign launch, she was asked if she had become a serial campaigner, a fairly legitimate question after a failed attempt in 2004 to run for a state seat, and a failed attempt in 2007 to run for the federal Senate , where she received just 4.3% of votes (Source)

Her response? To compare herself to Abraham Lincoln.

“I’d suggest you go and have a look at the number of times Abraham Lincoln stood for Parliament – to stand up for what you believe in.”

Source

Now, I’m no expert on American politics, but even I know off the top of my head that America doesn’t actually have a Parliament. And a quick look at Abraham Lincoln’s Wikipedia page reveals that while he did indeed run for a lot of things, most of his campaigns were successful.

Not bad for a campaign that is barely a day old.

As if the seat of Beaudesert wasn’t already about to become a circus, ex-AFL football star Warwick Capper has announced he will also contest the seat, and challenged Hanson to an election day cook-off. And, since his campaign is being sponsored by men’s magazine Zoo, his campaign launch will feature “a bevy of placard-carrying bikini girls.”

Source

Up here in Queensland, we cop a bit of flack for being a bit redneck, a bit backward, a bit country bumpkin. People of Beaudesert, you have a chance to prove the critics wrong – send these two joke candidates packing, and let’s make sure this election is about the issues, and not the drama.

The Courier Mail have the down low on Warwick Capper, one-time AFL ‘legend’, throwing his hat into the ring for the seat of Beaudesert. All we need is the official confirmation that Pauline Hanson has registered as well [UPDATE: She's IN!], and we’re off. The two share the same agent – the notorious Max Markson (of “My Kid’s A Star” fame), so the cynical amongst us might suggest that Mr Capper (possibly the last time he’ll be called that) has been cajoled into running to boost the media attention on the seat for Ms Hanson. That, and he’s announced he’s about to open a coffee shop called Warwick Cappuccino – is any publicity really good publicity? Clearly Markson believes so. The hopeful, including me, long to believe that this is an intentional career change for Warwick – one that could see him in a suit, offering his special brand of wit and insight to the house. Oh what a glorious day his maiden speech could be – just pause and imagine…

I cannot wait to learn the platforms both candidates will stand on for QldVotes’09. In fact, I will make it my mission for QldVoice.org readers to interview both personally – together if possible – so that we can all benefit from becoming informed voters… by hearing informed opinions and policies. I cannot wait. At least I only have to make one phone call to set it up.

This week credit rating agency Moody’s weighed in and announced they will also review Queensland’s credit rating for a possible downgrade.  The story attracted over 130 comments so far on the Courier Mail website.

If Queensland was a company, we’d have to stop trading because we would be insolvent – BANKRUPT.

- Bonny of Brisbane, Comment #1

Although Queensland now has the lowest rating of any state in Australia, the S&P report does not suggest bankruptcy is on the cards.

The stable rating outlook on Queensland reflects Standard & Poor’s expectation that the state will manage its financials within the ‘AA+’ rating category.

Source

Some say that the downgrade is an inevitable outcome of the global financial crisis.

Blaming Bligh or the ALP for the WORLD FISCAL PROBLEMS is as pointless, immature and illogical as blaming the Mayor of Innisfail for Cyclone Larry.

- Greg of COORPAROO, QLD, Comment #11

In fact that is one of the main themes of Premier Bligh’s election campaign, that the global crisis is responsible for the Queensland economic downturn (an economy that enjoyed the benefits of the global mining boom) and that experienced hands are needed to guide us through these events.  Not everyone agrees with that view.

The economic crisis is going to be blamed for it, but the fact is that this government made no preparations for a downturn in commodity exports. They saved none of the “boom period” money. They’ve had a chance and have failed….

- Carl of Brisbane, Comment #18

S&P has left the door open to Queensland returning to a AAA rating.

Upward pressure could be placed on the rating if the government introduces significant measures to strengthen its budgetary performance, it reprioritizes its capital program, or if the state’s economic prospects improves, thus boosting operating revenues.

Source

However the Treasurer Andrew Fraser refuses to cut project spending to appease the credit agency.

Mr Fraser suggested the Government would have to scrap projects such as the Queensland Children’s Hospital, the Gateway Bridge duplication, the Northern Busway and other hospital rebuilding around the state to appease S&P and maintain its AAA rating.

“Supporting those jobs, supporting the employment that the capital program creates, supporting growth is what’s important here,” he said.

Source

Although Queensland now has the lowest credit rating of any state in Australia, they are also the first to release new budget figures since the economic crisis began.  The expectation of the government is that all state will be subject to credit rating revisions once they too release new budget figures.

Some Courier Mail readers ask whether these credit ratings should even be considered by the voters at this election.

Why should anyone care what Moody’s and Standard and Poor say ? These are the same companies that recommended sub-prime mortgages as AAA+ investments.

- Ian Semmel of Maleny, Comment #33

Aren’t S&P and Moody’s part to blame for the ‘Global Financial Crisis’? The ratings agencies gave the credit derivatives AAA ratings without any examination of the underlying value of the securities. Are we now to believe them when they ‘downgrade’ Queensland?

- Gina of Taringa, Comment #34

Though the credit rating announcements may weaken the ALP’s position in the campaign so far, our own reader poll has not shown a move of voters towards the LNP.  While the ALP stands at just 29% the LNP has only 18% so far.  The Greens and undecides share the lion’s share of the votes so far with 24% each, suggesting many voters are giving very careful consideration throughout the campaign and will either make a decision on polling day or have already decided that an economy based on more sustainable initiatives is better for Queensland in the long term.

…the poll found Lawrence Springborg’s LNP held a slight advantage over Anna Bligh’s Labor team on primary votes as the campaign for the March 21 state election begins.

The LNP recorded a primary of 43 per cent, up two points since November, while Labor received 42 per cent of the vote.

On a two-party-preferred basis, the two major parties are locked in a 50:50 tie, the first time this term the conservatives have been able to draw even with their Labor opponents.

Source

Starting the race on even points with neither Premier Bligh nor Mr Springborg able to claim underdog status the campaign will either focus heavily on substantive issues or will quickly spiral downward into a mud-slinging negative campaign from both camps.

The Galaxy poll also indicates that the ALP can’t rely on their opposition collapsing under the weight of their own internal disarray as with previous elections, with signs the public have more faith in the LNP.

(Mr Sringborg) said voters were also responding to the newly-merged LNP.

“We need to make up more ground but what it proves is that people have more confidence in our representation this time.”

Source

Meanwhile the new LNP will have to work hard to maintain this new confidence from the electorate if they are to win enough seats to make up the additional 21 seats they need to claim victory.

The last few days has seen Brisbane traffic in true gridlock. Accidents, train issues, road works – you name – we have seen it, and when you put it all together you get a day like today.

On Tuesday, Shadow Transport Minister Fiona Simpson made a media release on the ongoing problems faced by Queensland’s South East.

“…the legacy of 11 years of Beattie-Bligh Labor Governments was a city in gridlock with transport failures regularly shutting major city arterials and rail links for hours on end.”

A friend of mine who actually works in Uban Planning and Development spoke of the current plans offered by Anna Bligh’s government as “too little too late” and that Fiona Simpson was “right.”

It doesn’t take much for a run to work to become a nightmare.

I commuted from the Gold Coast to Brisbane for a little over two and a half years before relocating to Brisbane Central. In that time I saw trains reaching capacity – even the 6am train from Helensvale station was standing room only before we hit Beenleigh. At night, it was pointless even attempting to get on a train before 6.30pm unless you wanted to stand for at least half of your journey. Fold out camp chairs are still common sites in backpacks down Creek and Edward streets as the distance commuters make their way from Central Station. To vary it up, I would sometimes drive to Upper Mt Gravatt  for Park and Ride – but I couldn’t obtain a park if I arrived after 6.50am. The buses were packed by then as well – and don’t even get me started on trying to do the drive every day. After moving to Brisbane Central, I became a walker and bus taker. If I caught a bus after 7.30am it would generally take a couple before one was not full.

These days I drive against the traffic to the far Western suburbs – against the traffic. However road works (which are important and had long been ignored) have turned a 25  minute journey to an average of 35mins – and blow outs to maximum of 55 minutes.

Curious about what the LNP’s position was on Transport/Infrastructure I checked out their policy. On the surface it certainly seems like some good ideas, even some are tack ons from Labour’s policies. $414m over four years is not something to be sneezed at – but unless I missed it I don’t remember anything about the River (eg. CityCats).

Only being a layperson, albeit one who is directly impacted on a daily basis, I asked another friend who is actually passionate about Transport Infrastructure and is currently undertaking a career change in Urban Planning and Development because of all the issues we face. He was less than enthusiastic about the LNP’s polices, suggesting that do nothing more than “exacerbate” the problems.

Certainly on the surface many of these sound pretty good, until you start thinking about it in the big picture. Between 6am-7am some of the trains are already packed (especially as they are reduced cars). The real problem isn’t those people living in Zone 1, but those in outlying zones working on getting into Zone 1 – CBD Fringe.  Yes some feeder buses will help, but Park and Ride is a self fulfilling prophesy from congestion and failure. Not to mention the whole question of where the extra space is going to come from, if not up.

The Bligh Government has certainly made a mad dash to try and get things done. I don’t think there are many people out there who felt that no enough was done over the past 5+ years to keep pace, but at least something is happening – even if they are currently rather inconvenient.  Unless things have changed with regards to the availability of CityCats and Buses, they are already going into use as fast as they can be made. I for one love the idea that the bus I travel on was assembled in the State where it is being utilised (even if they sometimes catch fire).

My major concern with this and all other LNP policies is that we are being asked to wait a “couple of weeks” for an explaination of where the money is coming from.  A couple of weeks lands us right before the election.

Breaking News – Anna Bligh announced a $12M traffic congestion plan moments ago at the Gateway Duplication Project. Let’s just hope it isn’t “too little too late.”

Given the success Obama had in using things like YouTube and Facebook through his election campaign, you’d offer these tools are now as important as having the website (right, Anna?) ready to go to support your tilt. With the surge in support and awareness now of things like Twitter, both parties have ensured their leaders are all set to Twit (or at least someone on their behalf). The differential, however, lies in the content…

The LNP and Team Borg are somewhat slow on the upkeep of their website, YouTube, Facebook pages, etc and particularly his Twitter account (with the latter noting only one entry from Jan 24 offering he’s “just getting into Twitter”). The ALP and the Blighster, however, use all these various mediums to fill into their website. The Anna4Queensland Twitter account gets constant, daily use, alerting followers to the latest updates or policy announcements or photo ops, or whatever. Anna’s YouTube account is setup to show off all their policy and promos, where as Lawrence’s just has a few videos listed. Anna’s facebook account has her correctly listed as a politician, so anyone can browse the info and there are links back to her YouTube entries for all of that content. Lawrence’s facebook account is extremely limited unless you request friendship… and then wait for that to be approved.

As for the others…
The Greens have a website (and Ronan Lee, noted ALP defection, has his own too). No social networking or other official internet media to speak of. Pauline Hanson, while only just throwing her hat in the ring, has a website however it was last updated nearly a year ago. As nominations don’t close until 03 MArch, there’s more time for others to weigh in. The Courier Mail has a better online presence (and better budget), allowing you to both track the movements of the main pollies via GoogleMap, and analysing speeches by both key candidates with a very web 2.0 tag word cloud. No candidates for the DS4SEQ party, but their website is at least current, and they have the mandatory Facebook group.

I’m confident that no matter who has the best online presence, this will not be the keystone that gets either team elected as a part of QldVotes09. The flip side is that if both the LNP and ALP (or any of the other candidates) want to connect with the younger, web-centric, socially networked voter and ensure they are across the important policy issues, then one camp certainly needs to sort out their act poste haste.

Tech/media score to date:
ALP – 1
LNP – 0
Ind/Others – 0