During a Newscorp conference in Brisbane, as the city gears up for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Crisafulli was questioned on his strategies to lure businesses from other states.

“Let me tell you one advantage we offer. For those residing in Melbourne, we have a safer environment, free from youth crime and the threat of stabbings. That sets us apart,” he remarked yesterday.

“As for Sydney, they grapple with severe traffic congestion issues.”

“Our focus is on enhancing transportation, which distinguishes us from New South Wales. We’re also addressing youth crime, giving us an edge over Victoria,” he added.

Crisafulli’s remarks sparked diverse reactions, especially following unsettling CCTV footage released this week. The video captured the moment 36-year-old Wan Lai was left with a punctured lung after a seemingly random attack in Melbourne’s CBD on October 2.

Lai had left her apartment to walk to work when footage showed a woman running up from behind while holding what appeared to be a ball in one hand and a knife in another.

The woman confronted her, stabbed her, and took off again while Lai crumpled to the ground.  

While a 32-year-old woman is currently behind bars charged over the incident, Lai has been left unable to work or leave her home by herself.

The attack has also stirred fear within the wider community, with the state’s opposition calling for tougher crime laws.

In a statement issued later that same day, the Premier apologised for the “poor choice of words”.

“It was a poor choice of words because every victim matters, regardless of where they live, and I apologise for any distress,” he said.

“I’m fully aware of the realities of crime and knife crime in Queensland, which is why we are working every day to keep driving down victim numbers through initiatives such as Jack’s Law.

“No one can guarantee there’ll be no crime, but that should never deter us from driving down victim numbers.”