Queensland's Labor Government! A Tired Old Dog?

Every man and his dog. Labor supporter at Brisbane City Hall polling booths, 1938.

The polls, punditry and punters are coining 'trouncing, thumping, bloodbath', pick your favourite adjective but the consensus is that it's all over for the current Qld Labor Government, which is looking like a tired old dog. But with a week to go until Queenslanders don their best hats and cast their votes the only uncertainty is whether or not Campbell Newman "Can Do" in the seat of Ashgrove. Kate Jones has gained support in recent polls to make it neck and neck and a Greens preference deal was clinched this week. Also, the fact that Kate Jones' name appears on the top of the ballot paper in the seat of Ashgrove may be just enough to throw a hand grenade into the middle of what could be a stunning victory for the Qld conservatives. Bob Katter's Australia Party, in conjunction with a successful yet overlooked grass roots campaign by the Greens in relation to coal seam gas developments, could hand power to the conservatives by splitting that voting group enough for Katter to gain some political influence. No matter what the outcome next Saturday, I can't help but think history may repeat itself. How? A one term conservative government (eg. Rob Borbidge, Feb 1996 to June 1998)  as the conservatives once again quickly self destruct as they divvy up the spoils of political power. But that's another dog and another story.

Don your best hat! Brisbane out to vote, Qld State Election, 1938.

 Full page newspaper advertisements published on the eve of the Qld state election in 1938.

Souces: John Oxley Library, SLQ.
The Telegraph Brisbane, Friday Evening, April 1st, 1938.