Across 62 10-person tables, packed into the room for the second leaders’ debate of the election campaign, one thing was almost universal: someone paid for each seat – $200 to be exact (excluding fees).

So those there to hear Queensland’s next premier pitch their vision and field questions were a certain type of voter – high-profile individuals from the political, corporate, union, lobbying, developer and major project worlds.

The debate may have been streamed beyond the four walls, but the performances were for those in the room. And perhaps most instructive was the riffing the leaders did around the edges of their largely rehearsed and repeated responses.

Labor Premier Steven Miles and LNP Opposition Leader David Crisafulli at Wednesday’s debate.Credit: AAPIMAGE

When asked if he would repeal the state’s ban on political donations from property developers, LNP leader David Crisafulli’s eventual response (“you bet”) was new.

While not “part of his plan” to deal with youth crime, health, housing and the cost of living, he allowed himself to be drawn off message to emphasise the LNP........

© Brisbane Times