AIP update on Qld state election

Dear ,

The Queensland election turned out to be closer than most people thought. So close that we won't know the result for a number of days. But we weren't taken by surprise.

On last Friday I twice predicted a slim Labor majority based on our qualitative polling.

While the complete detail of the result is unknown it appears that privatisations are dead for the meantime. This is a problem as it leaves Queensland without a viable debt repayment strategy. Even more so as our competitors like NSW and Victoria have much less debt per capita.

We will not be leaving the issue alone, but in Queensland at the least we will have to take a different tack.

In New South Wales the state government will be seeking a mandate to sell their power assets, and we will do what we can to support them.

We've certainly staked out a position in the media, as detailed below and listed on our website, and we will be looking to capitalise on that.

If you are not a member, and like what we are doing, please consider joining by clicking here. Otherwise you might like to donate, which you can do using this page on our associated publicationOn Line Opinion.

And don't forget we are on  Facebook and Twitter @OzInstProgress.

Here is an almost complete list of our contributions over the Queensland campaign minor some radio, including 2GB and 4BC:

• There was no government in waiting in broke Queensland (Gary Johns, The Australian)
• Accidents do happen, if you let them (Graham Young, AFR)
• Asset recycling as a basis for prosperity (Helen Stehbens, Qld Decides)
• Calling the election right (Graham Young, ABC)
• Fact checking the ETU on electricity prices (Graham Young, Qld Decides)
• A great shared tradition (Graham Young, Courier Mail)
• Two economists on the real election issue - the economy (Judith Sloan, ABC612)
• Do minor parties boost Labor's chances? (Graham Young, ABC RN Breakfast)
• Can Campbell Newman hold his seat? (Graham Young, ABC 2, 7.30 Report)
• Assessment of the Opposition's Fiscal Strategy (Graham Young, AIP Report)
• Queensland: perfect one day, broke the next (Judith Sloan, Courier Mail)
• What does Newman's promise of 209,000 extra jobs actually mean? (Staff, Qld Decides)

Regards,

Graham Young
Executive Director
Australian Institute for Progress