Queensland Election

Labor’s string of victories in Queensland continues. Anna Bligh has won them a fifth consecutive term.

Despite polls showing Labor behind, they have lost only 6 seats so far with 70% of the vote counted. Their electoral system has helped them as they are only 1.6% ahead on the primary vote.

Labor look to have 53 out of 89 seats. They had a majority of 34 and it has dropped to 19 – still pretty comfortable.

Labour have ruled for all bar one period since Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen’s 19 year resign. The Nationals won all eleven election from 1957 to 1986. Sir Joh was then forced out of office and the recent elections have been:

1986 Nat/Lib 59 to Lab 30
1989 Lab 54 to Nat/Lib 35
1992 Lab 54 to Nat/Lib 35
1995 Lab 45 to Nat/Lib 43 + 1 Ind. A by-election saw power transfer to Nat/Lib
1998 Lab 44 to Nat/Lib 32 and One Nation 11 (plus 2 Inds)
2001 Lab 66 to Nat/Lib 15 (One Nation 3 and 5 Inds)
2004 Lab 63 to Nat/Lib 20 (One Nation 1 and 5 Inds)
2006 Lab 59 to Nat/Lib 25 (One Nation 1 and 4 Inds)
2009 Lab 53 to Nat/Lib 32 (4 Inds)

On the positive side, Pauline Hanson got only 22% of the vote, and has retired from politics.