Would-be premier Campbell Newman has been asked by Ashgrove residents to promise he has a plan B if he loses the seat and the Liberal National Party (LNP) wins the state.
Mr Newman was joined by federal Liberal MP Malcolm Turnbull at a community forum with members of the party faithful in Enoggera on Monday night.
Both cracked open Fourex Golds and relaxed before the hour-long question and answer session got under way.
One concerned local asked Mr Newman to assure them that there was a Plan B if the LNP won the state, but he lost Ashgrove.
“You don’t have to divulge it to us, but assure us that there is one in the background waiting,” she said.
Mr Newman repeated the long-held LNP line that if he doesn’t cross the line, neither will the party.
Labor’s Kate Jones holds the seat by 7.1 per cent, which is well above the 4.6 per cent swing expected to go to the LNP at the election.
Mr Newman said the plan was simple and the people in Ashgrove should just vote for him.
“People in this community are smart people and know what is at stake and I’m confident they will make a decision,” he said.
“If they want a change … they will go for myself and the team.”
Mr Newman is trying to win the seat from outside parliament to become premier.
He lives a few kilometres outside the seat’s boundary, but has pledged his allegiance to the area.
He recalled moving to Brisbane 26 years ago and one of the first places he went to was the Andorra Bowls Club – where the forum was held – for a night out with army friends.
“I am a local and I chose to serve Ashgrove because it is very special to me,” he said.
“I’ve got a plan for Queensland, I’ve got a plan for Ashgrove.”
On a local level he promised to reduce traffic congestion, deliver more public transport and give local community groups grants.
On a state level, he repeated his five-point mantra to build a four-pillar economy, lower the cost of living, have better delivery of infrastructure, revitalise frontline services and restore accountability.
He also repeated election promises to cut red tape by around 18,000 pages, protect aquifers and prime cropping land from coal seam gas, and fix Queensland Health’s payroll system.
Mr Turnbull showered praise on Mr Newman and said they wouldn’t be taking a punt if they voted for him.
“Campbell Newman’s team .. made the Brisbane City Council the best-run city local government administration anywhere in Australia,” he told the audience.
“I think this is the key … to the most compelling reason why Campbell Newman is such an outstanding candidate for Queensland premier.”
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