,
Government responses to COVID-19 in Australia have received, by and large, bipartisan support. An exception, it seems, is the imposition of restrictions on interstate movement. State borders have become a lightning rod for political friction and . With elections in the frame, this has escalated into apparent āā.
Going hard on borders
The latest salvos follow alarming coronavirus outbreaks in Victoria and, in lesser numbers, Greater Sydney.
After partially reopening Queenslandās borders mere weeks ago, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk surprised some by reimposing a āhardā effective from the weekend. As case numbers ballooned in Melbourne and instances occurred of infected returning travellers ābreachingā quarantine measures, many Queenslanders anticipated toughened restrictions ā and indeed welcomed them.
It should be remembered that the Queensland governmentās generally successful handling of the pandemic crisis, including its readiness to close borders, enjoys . Some wondered why this latest border closure as well, where there are no active cases.
But a hard line on borders to effectively āput Queenslandersā health firstā is a . Support for the closures even came from a possibly unexpected source in Gold Coast Mayor . Amid heightened anxiety, residents here will take comfort from the seeming security of āā.
Election fever in the air
In Queensland, pandemic conditions currently favour the incumbent premier ā in stark comparison to Daniel Andrewsās situation in Victoria. With community transmission largely under control, Palaszczuk has played a steady hand in easing lockdown restrictions, informed by her .
While impacts on the stateās economy and unemployment levels remain worrying ā and potentially politically damaging ā everything is viewed through the prism of the governmentās ability to manage the crisis. These circumstances seemingly lend themselves to taking an āabundanceā of caution.
This has in turn invited criticism from some business quarters, but itās an approach that suits both the times and the premierās style.
A recent coronavirus outbreak in Brisbaneās south tested the premierās leadership and her governmentās responsiveness, providing a reminder of the diseaseās unpredictability. Subsequently, taking a resolute stance on border measures, in defiance especially of naysayers from southern states and , will only boost Palaszczukās standing in her (often parochial) home state. With an election less than 12 weeks away, there are, variously, more rewards than risks in the protection of Queenslandersā health.
But as that election nears, both the premier and her LNP counterpart, Deb Frecklington, will look to turn circumstances more clearly to their political advantage. Opinion polls show the LNP holding a slim ā yet, perhaps significantly, Palaszczuk has a distinct lead as votersā preferred premier.
The premier adopting a position of āstrengthā
Many in Queensland see Palaszczuk as personable and a āsafe pair of handsā. This reassuring attribute might be well suited to these uncertain times.
With Palaszczukās leadership stocks running high, Queensland voters can anticipate a presidential-style election campaign come October. Messaging has already surfaced as a āstrong premierā, suggesting sheās the leader to make āstrong decisionsā. But Labor may well tread this path warily, remembering what befell Campbell Newman, the last Queensland premier who on āstrongā characteristics.
Admittedly, accentuating āstrengthā counters claims of being indecisive or too cautious, critiques that have dogged until now. This approach could work well politically, so long as events ā or potentially the federal government ā donāt turn against the premierās handling of the pandemic. If thereās a heightened element to the crisis in coming weeks, the situation could reverse quickly for Palaszczukās government, leaving the premier wearing much of the blow-back.
Even Anna Blighās during the destructive 2010-11 cyclones and floods in Queensland didnāt translate to a long-term boost in support. But the looming state election is a more short-term prospect. The pandemic will remain front and centre, with Palaszczukās crisis management still very much .
When to oppose in opposition?
The spread of COVID-19 has presented a political challenge for the opposition in Queensland.
The LNPās past criticism of the Palaszczuk government over the stateās border closure has come back to bite it. Echoing their leader, throughout June several LNP MPs (supported by the prime minister no less) for the borderās reopening. Events since, understandably, have forced an about-face from LNP figures. Theyāre now advocating ātougherā border measures at the risk of .
Regardless, the opposition finds itself ā ironically ā having to be cautious about the limits of striking a point of difference. This much is obvious in Frecklingtonās newly struck tone of with the governmentās border position. This is a bind opposition parties are , a hard reality especially in and with elections nearing.
The LNP, having gambled on criticising the governmentās border restrictions, now wears the fallout. Labor has pounced on the opportunity, in early signs of a de facto election campaign. have highlighted how Frecklington ā whoās had to endure her own partyās ā called for Queenslandās borders to be opened āearlyā on dozens of occasions.
Queenslanders can expect to be reminded of this ārashnessā from now until the election. The LNP, meanwhile, must identify issues not necessarily coronavirus-related ā such as law and order or water security in regional Queensland ā to provide it some .
Palaszczuk in the driverās seat
Notably, for ten of the past 13 years, a woman has been premier of Queensland. Whichever major party wins Octoberās election, a woman will be leader for (likely) a further four years. With Palaszczuk emphasising ā in the face of LNP criticisms ā that āthe ladyās not for turningā from her border stance, she gives herself every chance to remain that leader.
, Research Associate, School of Political Science & International Studies,
This article is republished from under a Creative Commons license. Read the .
Image credit: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
