Kathy Marks: Premier's tearful words boost morale
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.As recently as last weekend, Anna Bligh was deeply unpopular among Queensland voters and her Labor government seemed unlikely to survive the next election. But the leadership she has shown amid a dramatic escalation of the state's crisis has won her many plaudits and, possibly, reinvigorated her political fortunes.
Queensland's first female Premier, Ms Bligh has shown strength and compassion as her state reeled from floods in the Toowoomba region and braced itself for Brisbane's worst flooding since 1974. As the death toll rose, she seemed to grow in stature, calm and reassuring with a no-nonsense approach.
She clearly cared, and she knew what Brisbanites were going through. Her mother lives in a low-lying suburb, West End, and as the flood peak neared, Ms Bligh's brothers and sons helped to evacuate her to the Premier's home.
With Brisbane holding its breath, Ms Bligh delivered two-hourly updates to the public. At a press conference yesterday, she wept, briefly, as she enumerated the many areas of Queensland affected by the state's worst natural disaster. That just made her seem all the more likeable.
The floods could be Ms Bligh's Falklands moment, rescuing her from political oblivion. "Cometh the hour, cometh the woman," wrote John Birmingham, in The Sydney Morning Herald. "And from Queensland's dark hour comes a woman we never expected to meet. Anna Bligh, hero."
Another author, Jessica Rudd, was equally admiring on the MamaMia website, "Anna Bligh manages to respect and reflect Queensland's somber mood without perpetuating its panic", she wrote, "she's 'she'll-be-right-mate' personified."
Ms Bligh seems to have refined the art of reading the public mood. "This weather may be breaking our hearts," she said. "But it will not break our will."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments