The Liberal National Party (LNP) is running a low-key campaign for election in Queensland, and its launch was no different.
About 1000 followers filed into a cavernous hall of Brisbane exhibition centre on Sunday to hear from Campbell Newman, the man the polls say is on an easy track to be Queensland’s next premier.
They got no bells and whistles.
Just a pared-back stage with a podium reading “It’s time for a change” and the “Can Do” theme song, a revamped version of Mr Newman’s city hall campaign jingle.
Federal Nationals Leader Warren Truss warmed up the crowd, telling them it was time for a “new man” – “Campbell New-man”.
Federal opposition leader Tony Abbott continued the “Labor lies” theme that Young LNP members were brandishing on placards outside the event.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard had just last week lied about Bob Carr’s entry to federal parliament as foreign minister, Mr Abbott said.
But Premier Anna Bligh was “Labor’s first liar”, having kept quiet plans for asset sales during the 2009 campaign, Mr Abbott said.
Mr Newman’s 40-minute speech repeated his pledge to cut cost of living, and put a $1 billion figure behind plans to fix the Bruce Highway.
But considering where the LNP stands in the polls, and the high energy reputation of Mr Newman, there was no great buzz in the room.
The greatest display of emotion was his wife Lisa’s teary embrace when the lights came up.
Mr Newman has a message for Queenslanders – the LNP is ready to govern.
He has promised to take the “circus” out of Queensland politics, and this no-frills start suggests the LNP will at least deliver on that.
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