Experts issue alert for impending outbreak of candidate-itis

There’s a little-known but widespread pandemic that can overtake small sections of the population every three to four years. The most common warning signs of candidate-itis are feverish activity, difficulty sleeping, and permanently high anxiety levels. While there is no known treatment, the condition is demonstrated to end abruptly after election day.

The SAS Group may have been guilty of sparking an early onset of acute candidate-itis with our 2024 Queensland State Election Brief, which we published early last month to our clients, and then made available to friends of the firm on July 18 – 100 days out from the election. Our analysis and forecasts were widely read and – according to some feedback – discussed at the highest levels politically.  And generally, the feedback was very good.

However, we also heard from some candidates and MPs who took umbrage at our predicted results in the seats we believe will determine the election outcome. Regardless of their political colours, they universally believed we had been too harsh on their own campaigns and had failed to take into account individual circumstances and specific factors in their electorates. While I think our team did an outstanding job on the original document, we always intended it to be a work in progress right up until October 26.

And happily, for us – and for you – this rush of candidate-itis has brought with it a flurry of specific electorate insights from our political contacts on both sides that we are now working into our analysis.  So, if you enjoyed the original document, I recommend you continue checking back on it as it is updated in coming weeks and months. And if you haven’t seen it yet, please feel free to have a look.

In this, my first message as Managing Director, I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor Peter Costantini OAM, who has steered the SAS Group to great success over the last 15 years, and also to our Chairman the Hon. Larry Anthony AO. We are blessed that Peter and Larry are continuing to work in the business, supporting both clients and colleagues.  It’s always been the strength of the team that has helped us deliver great results for clients, and I’m happy to say that the team is as strong as ever as we move into a hectic period for Queensland and possibly Australia. 

In both jurisdictions, time is running out for organisation that wish to connect politically ahead of the elections. So please reach out to us if you would like to talk about positioning your organisation for successful advocacy and government interaction. And please watch out for candidate-itis – it is spreading rapidly.