A New Alternative for Queensland

Queenslander!

Steve Lewis writes today on the question of a new non-Labor political force and I have long agreed with the notion, especially needed in the context of QLD politics.

With a new party you’d have the capacity for a strong regional emphasis, as well as a strong small-business emphasis, also a family-based emphasis, and that is going to be very attractive to those on both the conservative and the center of politics. Powerebrokers from the Liberals and Nationals are pushing forward, including Liberal Senator Nick Minchin who told the Young Liberal Movement National Convention in Perth recently that the parties had to merge to remain a 'competitive adversary' to the ALP's federal and state dominance. The arguments against have included the threat of a split of the conservative vote, though I have to disagree. A new party would attract many from the conservative side of QLD politics (the Nats are almost unanimous and there are many state and federal Liberals who are ready to go), those on the right of Labor, centrists and obviously if the party is perceived as having good policy, the swing votes necessary to win government in this state start to come your way. That is the key.

It is probably the most pressing in Queensland (and in NSW) where the status quo is almost untenable and a result is a failing state government who is rarely questioned. The Borg has continued his conversation with QLD and with his push for a single force to unite against the juggernaut that is QLD Labor and he should be commended for doing so. It will not be easy and some short-sighted operators from both the Liberals and the Nationals will resist, so be it. They will not be part of the next government. But it must be done, not for the good of politicians but for the good of Queensland and the health of democracy in general .