How Crisafulli has, so far, kept most of his contract with Queensland

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When David Crisafulli took the stage to outline the “state of the state” in front of a convention centre lunch crowd last month, his speech leaned heavily on the promises he had kept since the election.

The fledgling premier made clear on election night 12 months ago that he believed he had entered a contract with Queenslanders.

This theoretical document was all about what his new government had said in opposition it would do, or not do – despite the so-called scare campaigns of Labor, unions and others.

David Crisafulli facing a third-straight day of questions about whether abortion laws would change if the LNP won government.

While he would soon draft public charter letters for his ministers – documents that have themselves been criticised – he decided not to put his contract to paper.

Instead, in response to a question from this masthead, he told one post-election press pack that he felt this would be done by the media. So we did.

Now that we’re into the second year of his government, let’s take a look at how that contract is holding up.

Promises kept

Stopping the First Nations Path to Treaty by repealing the laws underpinning it

Despite not flagging it as a priority of his first 100 days, the government rushed through a bill making good on this promise (as part of laws ostensibly about establishing its review of 2032 Games planning) in its first parliamentary sitting.

Accepting all but a few elements of ongoing or future spending in Labor’s last budget

So far, nothing unexpected here.

Repealing the state’s legislated renewable energy targets

This pledge is, so far, partially met and on track after the government introduced a bill to scrap the targets in the last sitting week.

Pursuing a number of pumped hydro projects with Queensland Hydro and the private sector

Treasurer David Janetzki has announced the Queensland Investment Corporation would lead this work, with the government actively investigating opportunities including Rawdon (75 kilometres south-west of Bundaberg), Big T (Lake Cressbrook, near Toowoomba) and Capricornia (80 kilometres west of Mackay).

David Crisafulli on stage with his deputy, Jarrod Bleijie, and wife Tegan during his election victory speech.

Enacting new planning laws to make sure no renewable energy project gets “special treatment”

The government has introduced a bill including a suite of relevant measures, including mandatory public consultation for large-scale solar and wind farms. This was passed into law by the parliament in June.

Using coal-fired power stations indefinitely if needed

This pledge was a key element of the government’s long-awaited energy plan revealed earlier this month.

Releasing corruption watchdog reports into the Trad and Carne matters, and removing a block on the agency reporting publicly

The government upheld this pledge back in February.

Releasing the former government’s probity report into Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, The Star’s partner in the Queen’s Wharf CBD casino and resort development

The government released a redacted copy of the report in March.

Reintroducing 24-hour notice periods for union officials to enter worksites

This was passed into law in the same bill as the Path to Treaty repeal in the first post-election parliamentary sitting.

Renaming the state’s seven satellite hospitals, and considering others based on need and expert and community guidance

The government renamed the facilities “satellite health centres” earlier this year.

No changes to abortion laws (previously qualified as “for four years”, despite some MPs hoping otherwise)

Crisafulli made good on this by having a motion passed in parliament last year that banned debate on the laws.

No changes to voluntary assisted dying laws

While there have been no changes made or flagged at this stage, the laws underpinning the scheme – including eligibility criteria – will be reviewed next year. Some advocates have called for an expansion.

No changes to coal royalty rates until at least July 2028

Crisafulli and other senior government members have repeated this promise as recently as last month, despite persistent pressure from the resources sector, the party’s right flank, and beyond.

No support for nuclear energy until there is federal bipartisanship (though some members of his new party room appeared to offer some wriggle room on election night)

Despite Janetzki leaving room for future nuclear generation in his first major speech last December, the government has not issued explicit public support for the technology.

No cuts to public sector jobs, forced redundancies, or asset sales

Janetzki used his June budget to tout the fact the state’s public service would grow by 2.24 per cent this financial year – above forecast population growth of 1.5 per cent. There have been no asset sales.

Promises breached

Governing with humility, decency, vision, and tenacity

Some elements of the government’s performance could be viewed as such, but this has often been overshadowed by hubris, insensitivity and a lack of consultation. (See the Path to Treaty, bans on gender-affirming care for kids, and pill testing). Then there’s the rhetoric of Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie...

Reforming the budget estimates process

Changes instigated for this year’s fortnight of frivolity boiled down to Speaker Pat Weir and his deputy Jon Krause steering the proceedings instead of committee heads. It’s something, but far from Crisafulli’s calls in opposition for a review and shift to non-government chairs. We’ll have three more runs at it before the next election.

No changes to his team of shadow ministers as they move into a cabinet that “reflects Queensland”

Most ministers were handed new or expanded portfolios vastly different to their focus in opposition, while Crisafulli’s 19-person senior decision-making team features just six women and four MPs from beyond the state’s south-east corner.

No new stadium for the Olympics, or using the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre

Crisafulli broke with this promise by announcing a new $3.79 billion, 63,000-seat stadium to be built at Victoria Park back in March, justifying the decision by saying the 100-day review of venue planning showed a redevelopment of the Gabba could not be done in time.

It’s complicated

Lower crime victim numbers by the end of the parliamentary term or Crisafulli will resign

While early days, the first part of this pledge appears to be on track. (Though it appears this figure was beginning to shift before the election.)

Managing the budget with lower taxes, lower debt, and a $6.8 billion cut-back on consultants and contractors to help pay for election pledges

The government has spruiked cutting two taxes – stamp duty for first home buyers purchasing a new build, and the so-called “patient’s tax”. However, the Queensland Government Consulting Services division is still in its infancy with its success yet to be seen, and debt is not lower than under the previous government. (Janetzki’s budget forecast it to hit $190.4 billion in 2028 instead of the $172 billion for the same period in Labor’s last budget – a fact Janetzki explained by claiming Labor had hidden major project cost blowouts off the books.)

TBC

Renaming Cross River Rail the “Elizabeth Line” to honour the late monarch

No news.

Investigating a new dam in south-east Queensland

No news.

Reverting to optional preferential voting, and removing a ban on property developers making political donations

No news.

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