Have I got it wrong. Does not Cando want to privatise?

Graham, you seem to see the Qld LNP government through 'rose coloured glasses'. You've listed (but not substantiated) some good points but conveniently omitted others.

For example what about the LNP's (not only Newman's) intention to not only support huge development of coal with all its degradation of the atmosphere and the iconic Reef, but to actually make huge investments of taxpayers' money in it to make it happen?

Don't you think this may loom large in the eyes of many voters?

Roses 1,

This may interest you.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/donors-get-mine-approval-on-quiet/story-fnr8rfrw-1227181486790

"A FINAL act of the Newman government before calling the Queensland state election was ­approval for a controversial coalmine development by a company that had donated $650,000 to the Liberal National Party."

Last year, SBCT released Australian Electoral Commission documents that showed the Acland mine’s parent company, Soul Pattinson, had donated $650,000 to the LNP over three years.

These were marked as being on behalf of Acland mine owner New Hope.

The donations were made in three instalments, two of $200,000 and one of $250,000, in the lead-up to the company’s submission of an environmental impact statement.

“The donations are not illegal but they fail the pub test on any measure,” Mr Gordon said."

One would assume that the Newman govt will suffer a significant drop in support...but from my vantage point, Annastacia Palaszczuk comes across as quite wishy-washy and lacking the required dynamic to carry her party to victory.

Yup, but particularly if he loses his own seat to Mz Jones.
Which then begs the next question.
Can the LNP survive the Newman Factor?
Rhrosty.

Where Graham writes "...the latest Newspoll has the parties on 50% each of the vote...they need around 52% of the vote to win enough seats to govern."

The (or one of the) latest surveys seems to answer LNP electoral prayers by predicting they'll get 53% of the vote.

See The Australian, Jan 12, 2015 http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/lnp-holds-ace-cards-but-hand-has-slipped/story-fnr8rfrw-1227181571969 :

"The most recent survey, conducted last week and revealed in The Weekend Australian, also showed the LNP had crept ahead of the ALP, leading them by 53 per cent to 47 per cent on a two-party-preferred basis after the two were locked on 50 per cent support."

So Newman may return.

Pete

Well lets hope so plantagenet. Beattie & Bligh were both catastrophes, going somewhere to happen. Unfortunately they happened in Queensland. As I recall it was 6 billion on the pipelines & another 2 billion on the desalination plant, neither of which have ever been used. Then of course the healthcare department payroll debacle. Talk about incompetence!

Today's Labor doesn't have anyone anywhere near as smart as either of them, probably as they made sure to get rid of any one with talent to avoid challengers. Is there another party anywhere so reduced in talent that Annastacia Palaszczuk could become leader?

So a return of Labor with it's recycled dropkicks would be even more catastrophic than Bligh. We need at least another couple of terms of decent management, before we could afford another spending spree.

Yes Newman is a bit abrasive, but in a cabinet of capable people the Cheshire Cat goofy grin of a Beattie wouldn't hack the load.