The first sign of panic emerges a few weeks before election day, at a youth centre in Rockhampton. The Liberal National party’s candidate, Donna Kirkland, messes up the party line on abortion and accidentally says they’ve “ruled out” a conscience vote.
Frontbencher Laura Gerber’s eyes widen and dart from side to side. She motions to the opposition leader, David Crisafulli, who has to step in. That week Crisafulli is asked more than 100 times the same questions about abortion, and gives the same workshopped answers.
