On January 1, One Nation leader Bill Feldman confirmed...

On January 1, One Nation leader Bill Feldman confirmed his party would introduce a Private Member's Bill to force a referendum on capital punishment in Queensland (see 1999 Report). Queensland was the first Australian state to abolish capital punishment in 1922. One Nation adviser David Oldfield said the move would be timed for "national exposure" ahead of the NSW state election on March 27. Both the Government and Opposition flatly opposed any referendum to reintroduce the death penalty. Acting Premier Jim Elder described the death penalty move as a "stunt." Acting Opposition Leader Mike Horan said the move was a "cheap use of the Queensland Parliament to do the bidding of another state."