David Crisafulli has pledged he is “going into bat for Queensland” after being named the state’s new premier.
The Premier-elect only had a few hours of sleep before stepping in front of the podium to vow he will make good on his campaign promises, including a crackdown on crime.
“I want Queenslanders to know that I am on their side and I’m going into bat for Queensland,” Crisafulli said.
Crisafulli said he had just over two hours of sleep before getting to work as the incoming premier, which included a phone call with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“A little bit of sleep, 2.30am to about quarter to five,” Crisafulli told reporters.
He said he then had a “very light session” at the gym before speaking to the PM.
”Not only did I speak to the PM, he was good enough to afford me 20 minutes this morning,” Crisafulli said.
“I was very grateful for the PM’s phone call, he was very generous with his time.”
The Queensland LNP leader also thanked outgoing premier Steven Miles for his tenure.
Crisafulli then said it was “important we get cracking” following LNP’s victory over Labor.
He reiterated on his party’s 100-day plan, which included tougher laws on youth crime in the next few months.
“We will get to work and we will deliver on those commitments,” he said, referencing his ‘adult crime, adult time’ campaign promise.
“I made a commitment to Queenslanders. They will be laws by Christmas time.”
“My commitment to every one of you viewers watching today is we will not go to Christmas with the same laws that we’ve got,” Crisafulli said.
“We will have adult crime, adult time, and we’re also going to do early intervention and give kids hope and the ability to turn their life around.
“We’re not going to Christmas with the same set of laws.”
Crisafulli will be the state’s 41st premier after last night’s election saw LNP end almost a decade of Labor government in the state.
The premier-elect is promising big changes in Queensland for his first 100 days in office, however, the state’s youth crime crisis is the biggest issue Crisafulli will face.
In his victory speech, he vowed his election win was the “turning corner” of the youth crime spate and declared LNP’s ‘adult crime, adult time’ policy would be in place by Christmas.
Nationals leader David Littleproud told Weekend Today the incoming premier’s historic win did come with a condition – fix the crime rate or he’s out.
“He’s been very clear. That took courage just to say, look, if I haven’t done the job in four years, well I won’t be here. And good on him,” Littleproud said.
“I think that’s what people want from their politicians. If you say you’re going to do something, get on and do it. And he’s got the mandate.
“He’s got the policies, get on and deliver it. That’s what Queensland said last night.”
Littleproud said Queensland was ready for change after such a massive shift in government.
He said the LNP wasn’t expecting a “landslide” but the results prove the state is hoping for action to be taken on the hot-button issues.
“I think what happened last night is a reflection of the fact that so many people voted early, there was over 60 per cent who voted early,” he added.
“Queensland is expecting change and that change will start day one.”
In his victory speech, Crisafulli seemed confident the LNP would be able to govern in majority.
”We asked Queenslanders to choose hope over fear and they did,” he said.
“We asked Queenslanders to vote for a fresh start and they did.
“And now tomorrow we get to work.”
He said history would show that the night was a “turning point” for crime, health, housing and the cost of living in the state.
“It’s going to take every day of those four years to deal with those four crises,” he said.
