Ludwig: << Come-on, the LNP ain’t gunna do any of this stuff significantly better than the incumbents. In fact, they’ll show opposition on small piffly side issues while effectively supporting the government on the big issues. And if they do happen to win power, they’ll just continue with the same old dinosaur ideology. >>

Of course you're right, Ludwig.

However, imagine this scenario: at the next Qld election the ALP wins, but the revitalised Tory coalition wins significantly more seats than they currently hold and the Greens win one or two in their own right. In order to pass legislation, the new Bligh government has to have the support of the Greens or the Tories. In this scenario, the Tories are likely to behave the way that Nelson's lot are in the Federal parliament - i.e. they won't be able to bring themselves to support the ALP. Hence, an effective Opposition and some minor party representation could well influence the kinds of legislation that gets passed.

Unlikely, I know - but stranger things have happened. I live in hope :)

CJ, I can’t see that any configuration of parliamentary seats would make a significant difference if the ‘Tories’ essentially support the government.

They might oppose things initially, and make loud noises of disagreement. But all that that will result in is a bit of tweaking around the edges. Sure, they might influence policy for the better in some instances, but not on the things that really matter. They won’t oppose the core continuous-growth directly antisustainability-oriented issues.

If they, along with the Greens had the numbers, it would no doubt make a bit of difference, but probably stuff-all, all-considered.

I live in hope that the LNP will see the futility of virtually being a mirror image of the incumbents.

Numerous times on this forum I have pushed for them (and for the federal opposition) to see the light, feel the winds of change and become fundamentally sustainability-oriented, with a cap to population as the most important policy.

They need to present themselves as a genuine alternative government…and goodness knows this state and country desperately needs it!

The grassroots support within the general community for this is I believe huge. It could be harnessed with the right sort of promotion, to the extent of providing a landslide win at the next election or the one after.

I mean, how on earth does the LNP think that they have a snowflakes chance of winning if they remain a mirror-image ‘pretend’ opposition force?

But noooo…our skies will fill up with flying pigs before they move away from total support for never-ending ever-more-rapid grossly antisustainable human expansionism!

Considering myself a somewhat cynical voter, I doubt if this merger between these two "giants of the dispensation of political manure" will greatly enhance the chances of Queenslanders getting any better deal,....as history has shown "the more things change,... the more they stay the same!" ....a long slow spiral downwards into the murky depths of power-broking, nepotism and anti-democracy!

The only way we will ever have elected people ( I will NOT use the word "politicians" in this case!) who may genuinely work for the good of the country and its people, is to do away with "Party" politics and the financially supported organizations to whom those elected party members must give their first loyalty,... over and above the interests of the people of the state!

No man should be forced to give support and loyalty to a list of core principles if he considers these very principles are contrary to his beliefs in obtaining a better outcome for the future of the country and its voters!

How many men of average means are prevented from becoming candidates in State and Federal Elections simply because the financial backing a available to "Party" candidates will obliterate any chance he may have in achieving success by his own electioneering, door-knocking, letter-dropping, etc!

Look at the parlous state Queensland is in now with a Labor government...Government for the people....I fear NOT!

There is unsufficient space to cover the ongoing "inadequacies" ( to use a nice terminology. But let us not forget "The Forced Amalgamations"..."The Traveston Dam"...."The Bundaberg Hospital/ Jayant Patel fiasco"... to name just a few of the events that if scrutinized carefully would probably expose at least one "disaster" for each year that Labor has been in government in Queensland!

What then does the new LNP offer the people of Queensland at this time?.....Not much unless a complete change of policies and attitudes is forthcoming!

I wish to nominate my Blue Dog for the next Premier of Queensland!....he has more loyalty, does not bite the hand that feeds him, has no fleas, and what you see is what you get!

it's obvious that Annie hasn't got any control over her crowd. if she did why doesn't she stamp out incompetence instead of fostering it even more. then there's corruption. does anyone have any evidence that she's doing anything other than foster that too? just look at the council amalgamations. what a money-wasting farce that is.
If we can't get rid of corruption then I'd rather have a corrupt competent government than a corrupt incompetent one. I'm not religious but I pray that this incompetent idealist academic outfit gets ousted by the conservatives next election

Cuphandle, it really depends on voters. All this is squarely on those who keep giving the major parties oxygen they do not deserve.....and also ideologies that really share a lot more in common (in structure, policies and administration) than that which differentiates them.

I think that within maybe 3-10 years time these 2 parties will again be separate.