With 28 of his 34 MPs men,he was talking about women – but also candidates from culturally diverse backgrounds – to have his partyroom better represent the wider community.
“In order to be held accountable,I’ve set a target for more women in winnable seats,more parents,more people running small businesses who are given the flexibility to continue to do that and use their experience ... more people from multicultural backgrounds,more people who are Indigenous and or Torres Strait Islanders,” Crisafulli saidback in 2021.
“And so that it can’t be trickery,and I pick examples of people in unwinnable seats,politics is a game of numbers,so I’m committing to you that that breadth of talent will come from the top 14 most marginal seats … that’s where I intend to focus my energy in attracting people to want to run for outside of politics and be part of the generational change that this state desperately needs.
“If I’m unable to do that,well,then the electorate’s going to hold me to account more so than any room of preselectors.”
Since then,Crisafulli has made a point of internal reform and discipline. His team does (mostly) act and sound different to his federal opposition colleagues Peter Dutton and David Littleproud. So far,this has beenthe focus of the leader more so than pitchingmuch detailed policy or grand vision.
Fast-forward to last week,and Crisafulli announced LNP members in 10 of those key seats had preselected women to face voters in October – three better than the seven he set out to make happen. There’s cultural diversity among the group,too.