Wally Lewis Joins Queensland Premier’s EntourageWally Lewis Joins Queensland Premier’s Entourage Queensland Prime Minister Steven Miles has made a bold move to boost public opinion ahead of the October election. He has hired former rugby legend Wally Lewis to accompany him to all press conferences and public appearances. Lewis, nicknamed “King Wally,” is a beloved figure in Queensland and holds a special place in the hearts of many. His presence is expected to attract media attention and potentially influence public opinion in favor of Miles and the Labor Party. Since Monday, Lewis has been by Miles’ side at every event. His role is unclear, but it is believed that he is playing a purely apolitical role and is simply aiming to balance the media coverage of the election. Lewis himself denies trying to influence political opinion, stating that he is semi-retired and enjoys the company of his new colleagues. Miles, on the other hand, sees this as an opportunity to gain more media attention for his government’s achievements and cost-of-living aid initiatives. Media Manipulation or Political Strategy? The media in Queensland has been heavily focused on the opposition leader, David Crisafulli, and his criticisms of the Labor government. Miles has struggled to generate headlines for his positive achievements. By hiring Lewis, Miles hopes to turn that around. The media’s fascination with Lewis could force them to provide more balanced reporting on the election. It remains to be seen whether this strategy will be successful in swaying public opinion. However, it is clear that Miles is willing to try anything to secure a fourth term for the Labor Party.
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Prime Minister Steven Miles is making a big push this week to turn the tide of public opinion against his government as Labor battles to secure a fourth term at the October election.
Queensland’s Premier has completely rebranded the Labor Party following the resignation of his successor Annastacia Palaszczuk, with major initiatives aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures.
But will it be enough to fend off opposition leader David Crisafulli and his sixteen different sound bites on every political topic in every news report on television and radio on every station?
The answer is probably no.
After being humiliated by Palaszczuk’s landslide victory in 2020, defying all media attention for her government, Queensland news networks will not let that happen again.
With Miles struggling to make headlines for his government’s major infrastructure achievements, let alone its cost-of-living aid, it seems the only way the Prime Minister can get media attention is by commenting on the CFMEU’s misconduct, for which he ultimately takes full blame.
But recent changes in the prime minister’s office may have shattered the stories the media presented.
Since Monday, Steven Miles has been accompanied to every press conference and public appearance by former rugby legend Wally Lewis.
Nicknamed ‘King Wally’ or ‘The Emperor Of Lang Park’, the former Brisbane Broncos and Maroons superstar holds a place in the hearts of Queenslanders that extends beyond politics.
It is not yet clear whether Lewis will play the role of the prime minister’s personal assistant or bodyguard, or whether he will simply be ‘part of the entourage’, in the way that American rappers enter the ring with boxers.
In any case, it appears that his role is strictly apolitical and that he is merely attempting to force the journalists at the Courier Mail, Channel 7 and Nine to introduce some balance into their reporting on the upcoming election.
Speaking to The Betoota Advocate today, Wally Lewis says he’s not trying to influence political opinion, but that he’s semi-retired these days and “can think of worse ways to spend the day than alternating between high-end CBD lunches and intense weight training sessions in the Parliament House gym.”
Steven Miles says as a 25-year member of the Brisbane Broncos, the chance to hang out with Wally Lewis every day is a dream come true.
“It also means I get a bit more media attention. These journalists can’t resist pulling out their cameras and microphones whenever they see the king, which gives me a good opportunity to remind voters that from Monday they will only pay 50 cents for all public transport, making it cheaper than it was more than thirty years ago.”
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