Regional Queenslanders can make their votes matter decisively in the state election later this month.
The main election contest will be for the southeast’s 67 parliamentary seats between Maryborough, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast.
But who wins in the other 26 electorates across the remainder of the state will determine the political colour and shape of the next Queensland government.
The three Townsville seats as well as Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Caloundra, Barron River, Cairns and Keppel are well within striking range for the LNP if the swing predicted by the pollsters follows through on election day.
Bell weather issues ringing statewide include cost of living, housing affordability and supply, crime and safety, our public health services, and the spiraling price of insurance.
None of these are new to country people long used to paying more for groceries and fuel, waiting or travelling to see a doctor, or dealing with essential services no longer local.
A gradual withdrawal of state services from regional areas over the past 30 years has seen more and more responsibility placed on local Councils, many of which are stretched financially providing unfunded services to their communities.
Reversing the shift of additional and unfunded responsibilities from state to local government is essential and should be a priority of the next government if regional Councils are to function viably.
Just as pressing is the state’s role in supporting the competitiveness and productivity of the rural, resources and tourism industries which between them employ more than 1.15 million Queenslanders.
You have to look no further than the election priorities of Queensland’s main industry bodies to see what the agenda of the next State Government should be.
It starts with fixing and building the physical infrastructure that delivers prosperity and opportunity.
Upgrading and maintaining vital roads and transport infrastructure is critical statewide, as is overcoming the housing shortage that is strangling regional development, especially new employment.
Queensland’s $23 billion farm sector highlights the need for policies that deliver more efficient and affordable energy in rural and regional areas.
The Queensland Farmers Federation is also calling for strengthened biosecurity protection, better coordination and consultation in water policy, and increased support for agricultural skills training and climate resilience initiatives.
Broad acre farm group AgForce is calling for policies that assist the long term prosperity, security and sustainability of Queensland agriculture and its communities.
Our $117 billion resources industry through the Queensland Resources Council rightly calls for more of the royalties it pays to be re-invested back in regional communities and in skills and new jobs there.
The Business Chamber Queensland argues small and medium business wants “business friendly” policies that cut red and green tape costs and get rid of inefficient anti-employment taxes and charges.
It’s a view echoed by many of the 64,000 businesses in the $31 billion tourism industry.
Their representative body, the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, is asking for a stronger focus on planning and coordination to support tourism development and diversification, as well as additional investment in skills and training and local capacity building.
Together these recommendations from across industry and local government provide a blueprint for a stronger better Queensland.
Now they need a State Government that will actually deliver in timely efficient fashion.
* A slightly shorter version of this article first appeared in the Queensland Country Life, “View from the Paddock” Thursday 10 October 2024, p 23.
Professor John Cole 