Embattled Queensland Premier Steven Miles has been mocked on social media over his attendance at a homosexual parade and for a tone-deaf throwback photo about the housing crisis.
Mr Miles, who is expected to lose the upcoming state election due to anger over rising crime and Labor’s deep unpopularity outside of Brisbane, shared the childhood snap on Saturday morning with a comment about housing affordability.
“My parents scraped together enough money to buy a quarter-acre block in Petrie and build a wonderful family home for me and my sister Kate. Growing up, it made us feel secure,” he said on X.
“I want every Queenslander to have the same opportunity of knowing what that’s like.
“It’s why we’re helping to get more first home buyers into the market, supporting renters and building more social and affordable homes.”
My parents scraped together enough money to buy a quarter-acre block in Petrie and build a wonderful family home for me and my sister Kate.
Growing up, it made us feel secure.
I want every Queenslander to have the same opportunity of knowing what that’s like. pic.twitter.com/kCZZw6qgKD
— Steven Miles (@StevenJMiles) September 20, 2024
But many commenters pointed out that the Australian dream of owning a home on a quarter-acre block was now far out of reach due to mass immigration under successive open borders Coalition and Labor governments.
“Mass remigration is the only solution. Start with 2.4 million temporary visa holders,” read one popular response.
“India has a vacancy rate of 12.3%. Australia has a vacancy rate of 1.1%. Aussies deserve their country back. Our children deserve a future & the opportunities their parents & grandparents had.”
Another X user said: “If you actually believed that you wouldn’t support mass immigration and foreign ownership of property. Do better.”
Proud to march as a strong ally to all LGBTQIA+ Queenslanders.
Diversity is what makes our state great. We will always stand with you. pic.twitter.com/kcbcWY0zlC
— Steven Miles (@StevenJMiles) September 21, 2024
Later on Saturday Mr Miles shared photos of his attendance at the Brisbane Pride Parade, with one showing a young child dressed in rainbow-coloured clothing.
“Proud to march as a strong ally to all LGBTQIA+ Queenslanders. Diversity is what makes our state great. We will always stand with you,” he wrote.
“Look at you marching with some of the men who commit violence against women who don’t want men in female only spaces. Slow clap,” wrote feminist activist Angie Jones.
“How about you march with the homeless people living in tents in parks?” said another Australian in reply.
“Hmm, interesting,” said another. “What’s your position with ‘transitioning’ children? ie. chemically sterilising and mutilating them?”
Two polls released last week both show Mr Miles trailing six weeks out from the election.
A Resolve Strategic poll has Labor’s primary vote at a dismal 23%, down from 39.6% at the last election, and RedBridge has Mr Miles’ party behind the Opposition by 9 percentage points on a two-party preferred basis.
