GarryP

So, that favourite of Pollyana, bikers, and environmentalists everywhere - Campbell Newman - has called a snap election.

Live: Queensland Premier Campbell Newman announces state election for January 31 - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Polls are neck and neck, but Newman seems to be behind in his personal electorate.

Rumour has it he was going to get rolled today, which is why he called the snap election immediately, without telling his party first (Murdoch got a heads up though).

Another state to dump far right wingers, leaving Tone even more exposed? NSW is 28th March...

Grayling

Splendid....will give us all an early opportunity to kick this incompetent shower out.

Abbot must be watching his own backside....this election may be the last chance he gets as well

Beoz

Neck and neck ........ I thought all the rednecks wanted him gone ..... could be a turn up for the books?

We should be fine down here. We're doing stuff.

Amazulu

Questions that need answers (that I don't know):
How much has their massive state debt been reduced by?
How much has the economy grown, or contracted?
How much government red-tape has been removed?
Since the last election

I know the left are not interested in real economics (they prefer smoke and mirrors and mumbo jumbo) but they are important questions

Grayling

None of that will matter

Newman has upset far too many people with his autocratic manner...he thought he could do anything...he is about to find out that he is not as popular as he thought.

If he had not called this election his own party would have outed him anyway.

Amazulu

Of course it doesn't

Grayling

As long as he is gone....and this incompetent government with him

Beoz

This could be good to watch from a far.

Queensland run by the Australia Party or the Palmer United Party. I think the One Nation party is throwing its hat in the ring too.

Amazulu

Can't argue with that, er, logic

Not my problem

GarryP

Currently the betting has the LNP getting back in, but Newman getting kicked out.

I wonder to what degree the prospect of Newman being given the heave ho will shore up the LNP vote (eg "we don't have to vote to kick them out if Newman is gone anyway").

A smart ALP move would be to play up the divisions in the LNP as various toadies position themselves for the top job come 1st Feb. But for that to happen Newman would have to look like a dead man walking; and he maybe Labor's top asset in winning.

moneypenny20

He's a ghastly incompetent tool. Who apparently pole dances which put a visual in my head I didn't want.

GarryP

I couldn't resist the play on words

Now just try to stop yourself imagining Newman doing this

The Bloke

Other popular theory is that Newman will transfer to a safe, blue ribbon LNP seat and give the incumbent the shaft, rather than be voted out in Ashgrove.....sure his electorate number-crunchers will have done their sums before today....

GarryP

Can't see it myself.

If he did it before 31st Jan - he would be signing his own death-warrant since the message it would send would probably guarantee a loss for the LNP.

If he did it after 31st Jan - then who the hell is going to make way for yesterday's man, and which new leader would let him back in?

He basically HAS to tough it out - maybe with an eye towards a eventual federal seat if kicked out.

Bix

Newman may not be rated by some but Anastasia Palaszczuk makes him look like a genius.

Curtis Pitt chose to stay in the wings after labour got smashed last time round but watch him manoeuvre himself within that party.