Tricks, treats and the occasional cool idea from within our political spend-up
The major parties will be carrying around a bag of sweeteners in the lead-up to the state poll and it will be up to voters to decide whether they are tricks or treats, writes Rebecca Levingston
āWhoās on your show tomorrow?ā my new friend asked.
āThe Treasurer,ā I said.
āWho?ā
āThe Treasurer of Queensland, the person in charge of spending your money.ā
In 2018, I made a bunch of new friends, which is a novel thing to do when youāre an adult. It happens when your child starts school. I made friends with a group of parents who had nothing to do with media or politics. They didnāt know the names of politicians. They didnāt really care. For me, that was surprising but refreshing.
So I asked my new friend if they had any questions for the Treasurer.
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āAsk him, ask him ā¦ ā
I smiled secretly because the Treasurer I was due to interview at that time was Jackie Trad. A woman was wrangling the stateās books.
My friend noted the gender gaffe, looked around the playground and said, āAsk her why they donāt just air-condition every school.ā
Cool question.
I put it to the Treasurer the next day on radio and she said sheād look into the cost. A few months later the Opposition announced that they would fund air-conditioning in all Queensland schools. Not too long after that, the Government committed to cooler classrooms too.
Maybe both parties were already planning to roll out air-con plans. Maybe more people who donāt know the name of the Treasurer or the Opposition Leader for that matter, should be asked how to spend public dosh.
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A barrage of political pecuniary promises are about to be made in Queensland. Between the federal budget and the state election campaign, youāre going to get Christmas in October. Prepare for a clash with Halloween decorations ā perhaps a tad less tinsel and more skeletons depending on how ugly the attack ads get.
Beware as both major parties try to use ghosts to scare you. The spirit of Jackie Trad as Treasurer will be conjured by the LNP. Labor will still try to spook you with the memory of Campbell Newman, despite the fact itās been three elections since he pulled the ripcord and landed as premier. Incredible how quickly a parachute can become a ghost sheet.
Iām not sure the general public cares whoās haunting the hallways of state parliament. Can we afford prawns and presents on Christmas Day is the more pertinent question for some.
Kitchen-table economics are on everyoneās mind. The family budget depends on the family income and thatās where the Treasurer, like it or not, does become a distant relative. He or she might determine the answers to questions Iām hearing from Queenslanders:
Is my job secure? What happens if I canāt pay my rent? Can I afford $7000 braces for my teenager? Where can I find the money to renovate the bathroom for our youngest child with special needs. One mum said to me recently, āI donāt care what budget promises the politicians make, I just want to know that I can pay my mortgage.ā
On the weekend, I was hanging out at the park with the same group of parents Iāve befriended at school. I had hoped to pilfer another grassroots question, as our kids kicked around a soccer ball in the sunshine. But when I asked what anyone might want to hear during this election campaign, they told me they wanted to hear less from politicians. Bugger.
Theyāre more interested to know if their kids can go trick-or-treating on October 31. Iāll ask the Treasurer.
The money portfolio is back in the hands of a man. Cameron Dick will be handing out sweets through until election day. So will his opposite number Tim Mander. Itāll be up to you to decide what the politicians promise is a trick or treat.
Rebecca Levingston presentsĀ Mornings from 8.30-11am Monday to Friday on ABC Radio Brisbane
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