Qld: Five election issues Bligh will have to deal with
23 Feb 2009 5:24 PM
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Five Queensland election issues Anna Bligh will have to deal with:
Economy - While employers continue to slash jobs due to the global downturn, the government will be challenged on whether it properly prepared the state for hard times. The state's youthful treasurer Andrew Fraser is capable, but may not be the experienced pair of hands some voters would like.
Water - The $9 billion water grid was supposed to be the government's piece de resistance, but instead the Tugun desalination plant began rusting before it was complete, the Traveston dam has been delayed, and the government's position on recycled water is murkier than ever.
Environment - The premier has shown she is willing to pay a political price for protecting the environment, including fining farmers who risk damaging the Great Barrier Reef. But green groups will want her to continue a tough approach even when economic circumstances may not permit it.
Health - Hospitals continue to be a bugbear for this government, particularly in winter months when emergency rooms from the Gold Coast to Cairns often turn away ambulances. An ongoing committal hearing over the Jayant Patel charges is keeping health front and centre in voters' minds.
Fatigue - Another term of a Labor government after 11 years may be too much for some voters.
