Issues Monitor March 2014: Queensland
The first quarter of 2014 saw the top issues facing Queensland converge somewhat, with healthcare again topping the list followed by cost of living, crime, unemployment, and petrol prices.
Top Issues Facing Queensland
Whilst healthcare remains the stand out at the top of the list it has continued to decrease since early 2013, suggesting the LNP Government’s healthcare reforms and spending on hospital infrastructure and bed stock is having a positive impact on community perceptions.
Cost of living as an important issue remains steady, whilst concern over crime decreased sharply in the first quarter of 2014. This saw concern about crime return to levels seen prior to the spike in the last quarter of 2013 when figures showing an increase of 6% in the crime rate in Queensland over the 2012-13 financial year were released.
The focus on unemployment and petrol prices rose early in 2014. The former reflects the growing unemployment rate in Queensland which rose from 5.7% in December 2013 to 6.1% in January and 6.2% in February. The spike in perceived importance of petrol prices as an issue facing Queensland was not unexpected given Queenslanders faced record high prices in January, with the unleaded monthly average in Brisbane reaching 165.5 cents per litre. Whilst the average unleaded petrol price has since decreased to a monthly average of 156.4 cents per litre in March, Queenslanders continue to pay higher prices than those in other States.
