Queensland election: What you need to know

The Queensland election is heating up, with the major parties making their final pitches to voters. Here's what you need to know about the key issues, the candidates, and how to vote.
The key issues
The key issues in the Queensland election are:
* The economy: The state's economy has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and both major parties are promising to create jobs and boost growth.
* Health: The state's health system is under strain, and both major parties are promising to invest in new hospitals and more staff.
* Education: The state's education system is also facing challenges, and both major parties are promising to improve funding and support for teachers.
* The environment: The state's environment is under threat from climate change and development, and both major parties are promising to take action to protect it.
The candidates
The two major parties in the Queensland election are the Labor Party and the Liberal National Party (LNP).
The Labor Party is led by Annastacia Palaszczuk, who has been Premier of Queensland since 2015. Palaszczuk is a popular figure in Queensland, and she is widely expected to win the election.
The LNP is led by David Crisafulli, who is a former journalist and lawyer. Crisafulli is a relatively new face in Queensland politics, but he is seen as a rising star within the LNP.
How to vote
Voting in the Queensland election is compulsory. You can vote in person at a polling booth on election day, or you can vote early by post.
To vote early by post, you need to apply for a postal vote before the election. You can do this online, by mail, or in person at a polling booth.
If you are not sure where your polling booth is, or if you have any other questions about voting, you can contact the Electoral Commission of Queensland on 1300 881 037.
The election will be held on Saturday, 26 October 2024.