Anna Bligh bemoans 'politics of pessimism' and admits there's mood for change in Media Club speech

The Queensland Premier today described the looming election as the “toughest fight of my career’’ but said she would relish the contest.

“Politics is about change,’’ Ms Bligh said during a speech to the Queensland Media Club.

“And in Queensland politics there is a mood for change.

“But the question is change to what and why.’’

Ms Bligh bemoaned what she called the “politics of pessimism’’ which shroud debate in Australia when the economic figures showed the country should be optimistic about its future.

She said it wasn’t the media to blame for this new style of debate but politicians.

“I know it’s the job of oppositions to oppose and a critique of your opponents is central to politics,’’ Ms Bligh told the audience.

“But there’s something different in the current debates.

“There’s a deliberate attempt to engender fear and discontent.’’

Ms Bligh cited The Courier-Mail’s “Let the Sunshine in’’ campaign as an indicator of the need to lift people’s spirits out of the unnecessary gloom.