Miles’ first major policy announcement focuses on crime data

Opposition Leader Steven Miles has vowed a re-elected Labor would set up a new independent community safety statistics bureau to publish crime data for the state.

“It’s simple: police statistics without the politics – that’s what Queenslanders want and what Labor will deliver,” Miles said, in his first major new policy announcement since the 2024 election loss.

“The Queensland Community Safety Statistics Bureau will embed truth, transparency and real accountability in the discourse around crime.”

“It will ensure the goalposts in legislation, so that leaders can be held accountable. Unlike the premier, who staked his job on driving down victim numbers only to walk it back the day before the election.”

Miles also used his second budget reply speech to invoke a vision of the Queensland he “grew up in”, accusing the Crisafulli LNP government of putting that at risk.

“We believe good governments should aspire to make life better for the people we represent, better now and in the future,” Miles told parliament on Thursday morning.

“We believe budgets should be crafted to make life more affordable, services like healthcare more accessible, and to leave our state in a better position for the future.

“This budget does none of those things.”

The first half of Miles’ efforts to deliver his hour-long speech was hampered by repeat interruptions of government ministers claiming he was misleading the parliament.

Miles’ second major set-piece speech comes as the leader faces internal frustration over his lack of progress in the 20 months since the 2024 election.

His first contained little in the way of new policies or direction for the party, and he later declared he was approaching the term in opposition with a “clean slate” to rebuild.

Economic uncertainty, two poor byelection showings and an ascendent One Nation drawing level with the opposition in polling have since loomed large.

As has the view within Labor, reinforced by internal election-loss analysis, that a leader needs two years in the role before the next election, in October 2028.

Treasurer David Janetzki’s second budget was pitched as a responsible effort at fiscal repair, with some limited cost-of-living relief, revenue windfalls and pressure on the public service.

While the budget projected a slim surplus in four years, it also features deeper deficits until then, still-growing debt to $216.4 billion, and infrastructure uncertainty.

More to come

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