'; ?> Queensland qual | What The People Want
Queensland qual
Monday, 16 January 2012 22:02 | Written by Graham Young

But for the temporary purposes of either beating back mining development, or screwing a better deal out of miners, farmers are prepared to march with the people who persuaded the government to enact tree-clearing legislation and who campaign against farmers using as much water as they do from the Murray Darling Basin and elsewhere.

The alliance is obvious in the Leximancer Concept Map below which shows what issues voters think are important. Greens, Katter Party, Queensland Party, Independents, Australian Democrats and even DLP are hovering around the theme of "Mining" which includes "environment", "food", "water", "mining", "boom", "system", "gas" and "people". They have been brought together by the gas boom.

These concerns are quite separate from those of both LNP and Labor voters. Labor voters are distressed, seeing a coming collapse in their vote, and are concerned that the LNP will win. They then move from this to concern about what this means for the "future", particularly in "services" such as "health" and "education", and in "infrastructure".

LNP voters are as usual concerned with how the bills are going to be paid as well as a concern that the state be "rid" of Labor. They approach the same issues as ALP voters from this direction.

 

Issues_First_Pref_11_11_500px

Report_Image_12_01_17The next map shows the reasons respondents give for their voting intentions. There is a heavy partisan feature to this with both LNP and Labor voters citing Campbell Newman as a reason for their vote, while LNP voters also cite Anna Bligh (as well as some, but not many, Labor voters).

Once again mining and the environment are cited frequently by Katter voters and Greens, and Bob Katter himself gets a mention.

 

 

First_Preference_II_500px

The next map shows reasons for approval or disapproval of Anna Bligh. Government supporters rely on her performance during last year's floods, and probably had a politically reassuring time reliving some of the horrors of that period over the last week. By contrast Opposition supporters see Bligh as incompetent, with an incompetent team and an incompetent party. Not much common ground there.

 

Bligh_Approve_11_11_500px

For Campbell Newman approval or disapproval hinge on perceptions of his performance as Lord Mayor of Brisbane. Supporters believe he did well and that it gives him valuable experience. Detractors point to problems such as increased debt and a City Cycle program that is performing well below expectations. They are also unsettled by the fact that he is not a member of parliament.

 

Newman_Approve_11_11_500px

When asked who is their preferred premier it boils down to some very simple concepts, which is evident from how few concepts feature on the map below. The strongest argument for Newman is that it is time for a change (an argument that allows supporters to avoid having to be too fulsome in praise), while the strongest argument for Bligh is that she is the "least" worst option (an argument that almost completely avoids confidence in her). Some of the same themes as above are also obviously present, but the decision seems to be organisational - time to go Anna - rather than personal - Newman is really that much better.

 

Preferred_Premier_11_11_500px

Share this article on your favourite social bookmarking sites:
Digg! Reddit! Del.icio.us! Google! Facebook! StumbleUpon! Twitter!
 

Comments   

 
0 #1 I am completely surprised that Labor vot — Lorikeet 2012-01-18 17:58
I am completely surprised that Labor voters would be worried about what the LNP will do in areas such as Health and Education.

Under a National Party government, Queensland had the best schools in Australia. Now we are hard pressed to beat even the Northern Territory, running 6th out of 7. We have very poor curricula, particularly in English, Maths and Science (important subjects). We also have undisciplined students running amok in schools that are grossly overpopulated. No wonder learning levels and teacher satisfaction are low.

Having raised children across 2 generations, I'd have to say that nearly anybody could do better in Health and Education than Labor.

Getting treatment in a public hospital is little more than a pipe dream, and pressure to bring in a decent Dental Care Program and better Disability Services goes unheeded.

Very vocal protests, petitions and lobbying from northside Brisbane residents who wish to save the Royal Children's Hospital from being downgraded to little more than a "bandaids and crutches" operation have been completely ignored.

Now medical clinics are being opened and staffed almost solely by Nurse Practitioners.

And Labor voters are worried about the LNP getting it wrong????
 
 
0 #2 RE: Queensland qual — Wendy 2012-06-24 18:45
Well done mapping.
I hope Labor voters will sooner get satisfied about it. I don't really like too much protest.

Wendy
My blog : coussin de sol