Premier David Crisafulli is celebrating a landmark victory in North Queensland, marking the first time a sitting Queensland government has gained a seat in a byelection since 1998. The Crisafulli government claimed the Hinchinbrook seat from Katter’s Australian Party on Saturday night, echoing the Beattie government’s 1998 success in Musgrave.
Speaking at a local deli in Ingham on Sunday morning, Premier Crisafulli, alongside his long-time friend and newly elected LNP parliamentary colleague Wayde Chiesa, declared the result a testament to his government’s direction. “This victory shows we are on the right path,” Crisafulli stated, reflecting on the significance of the win.
Election Results and Political Implications
As the votes were tallied on Saturday night, Mark Molachino of KAP faced a significant 16.2 percent first-preference swing against him, securing only 30.25 percent of the primary vote. Meanwhile, Labor experienced a 5.8 percent swing, ending with just 8.27 percent of first preferences. The LNP emerged as the primary beneficiary, achieving a 41.28 percent primary vote, a swing of 13.1 percent towards the government.
The two-party preferred results showed a 17 percent swing to the LNP.
At the Labor state conference on Sunday, Opposition Leader Steven Miles acknowledged the poor performance but emphasized the importance of policy review to regain voter confidence. “We need to clear the slate and develop a forward offering for 2028,” Miles said, noting the potential impact of electoral redistributions.
Reactions and Expert Analysis
Wayde Chiesa expressed his commitment to representing Hinchinbrook effectively. “I intend to work hard and deliver for a community that I love,” he affirmed, recounting the personal significance of his victory celebration with family and friends.
The byelection outcome increases the LNP’s parliamentary majority to 53 seats, reducing KAP’s representation to just two seats. Labor maintains its 35-seat opposition bloc, alongside the Greens and other crossbench members.
Griffith University political scientist Associate Professor Paul Williams expressed surprise at the result, attributing it to regional distrust of major parties. However, he cautioned against over-interpreting the victory. “This is not an indicative seat,” Williams remarked, suggesting the result reflects more on Katter’s decline than a broader political shift.
Former Labor parliamentary speaker John Mickel highlighted Chiesa’s strong local profile as a key factor in the win. “It’s a huge boost for the premier personally,” Mickel noted, emphasizing the morale boost for the government. He also pointed out the electorate’s frustration with frequent polling, contributing to KAP’s loss.
“There’s an old adage that if you cause a byelection without adequate reason, you’ll get a biff,” Mickel explained, referencing KAP’s predicament.
Looking Forward
The Hinchinbrook byelection was triggered by former KAP member Nick Dametto’s resignation to pursue a successful mayoral campaign in Townsville. As the LNP celebrates its victory, the party remains cautious about reading too much into the result, recognizing the unique dynamics of the Hinchinbrook electorate.
While the LNP basks in its historic win, the focus now shifts to the broader political landscape in Queensland. With potential electoral redistributions on the horizon, both major parties will be strategizing to solidify their positions ahead of the next state election.
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