“I think the premier has always been upfront about the challenge for the next state election,” he said.

“We know it’s going to be a tough election, we’ve said as much, and when it comes to numbers, the numbers that we care about are the numbers that make a difference for Queenslanders, like the number of extra police we’re employing, like the number of hospitals that were opening, like the number of nurses and teachers that we’re employing.

“Those numbers are important, because with those numbers, we increase them – the LNP cuts them.”

Ryan was speaking alongside federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus in Ipswich, where the federal government’s $160 million commitment to a national guns register was formally announced.

Ryan said Queensland put the near-real-time database on the agenda after the Wieambilla shootings, in which two police officers and a neighbour were shot dead by Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train.

The register, Ryan said, would hopefully help avoid similar tragedies in the future.

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“No Queenslander’s heart will ever heal when it comes to Wieambilla, just like with Port Arthur – our hearts will be forever broken,” he said, referring to the 1996 massacre in Tasmania that claimed 35 lives and resulted in tough new gun laws.

“...Now we are delivering legacy reform, which will forever make Australia and Queensland a safer place.”

Crisafulli said he was broadly supportive of the register, with a caveat.

“Information-sharing between authorities is paramount,” he said.

“We have to make sure the focus is on those criminals who have guns, not the law-abiding people, but there is no doubt that the sharing of information can clamp down on those criminals and, as a result, we’re very interested to see the changes that can be made.”