The final report into Queensland's floods disaster was handed down a week before polling day to give voters all the facts before they went to the ballot box.
The report released on Friday contained no adverse findings against the Labor government or Brisbane's then-mayor, Campbell Newman, who is now vying to be premier.
But it has opened the door to a massive class action by about 2000 flood victims who believe the operation of southeast Queensland's Wivenhoe Dam was partly to blame for their misery.
Their lawyers, Maurice Blackburn, argue the report strengthens their case, by finding the dam manual was breached on the weekend before the Ipswich and Brisbane floods.
But much of the report's criticism was directed at public servants - the dam engineers and dilly-dallying bureaucrats - rather than elected officials.
Controversially, the commission had to reconvene earlier this year after media reports found key evidence was missed.
But the report puts Premier Anna Bligh and Water Minister Stephen Robertson in the clear, saying they couldn't have been expected to have found the inconsistencies.
Ms Bligh acknowledged the report made no findings against her.
But she claimed no credit for that, saying instead she hoped the exercise would give Queenslanders answers to a tragedy that took at least 35 lives.
"I hope that those who suffered so terribly through these events will find some comfort in the knowledge that with this report the lessons that can be learnt will be learnt," she said.
But Mr Newman says Labor can't totally avoid blame.
"If Seqwater has a case to answer over the dam, that's a case the state government has to answer," he said.
Both parties say they will implement the report's 170-plus recommendations in full.
The LNP leader was in better spirits on Friday after a Newspoll found he had the edge in Ashgrove, the seat he must win to be premier.
Two polls last week had him trailing Labor MP Kate Jones, but Friday's survey in The Australian had him ahead 52-48 on a two-party-preferred basis.
It's going to be a tight contest, and the Queensland Greens on Friday announced they'll direct their preferences in the seat to Ms Jones.
Mr Newman continues to urge a vote one strategy and refuses to name the LNP MP who would be premier if he fails to win the seat.
On Thursday night he stood his ground against three undecided voters demanding to know the LNP's plan B.
By popular demand from punters, Centrebet has extended its "next LNP premier" market to include more candidates.
LNP parliamentary leader Jeff Seeney has firmed from $5.50 into $4.00.
16.3.12
