Queensland State Election 2020 Outcome

Overview

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has claimed victory for the Labor Party, being the first female leader to win three elections in Australian history.

Despite predictions of a hung Parliament, Labor is on track to comfortably secure a majority, with the outcome set to become clearer over the coming days. Labor will now hold Government for Queensland’s first ever fixed four-year term.

LNP leader Deb Frecklington conceded defeat on election night. Preliminary counting has the LNP at 29 seats and Labor have been declared winner in at least 48 seats, which could rise to as many as 52 out of the 93 seat Parliament.

Seats

Even with a strong victory for Labor, former Treasurer Jackie Trad lost her seat of South Brisbane to the Greens, who now hold two seats in Parliament. The impact of the LNP’s decision to preference the Greens across every electorate, particularly in regional seats, will likely be examined in post-election reviews undertaken by the major parties.

Support for the Premier was clear in electorates with older demographics, reflecting approval of her handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the tendency for incumbents who have responded well to be rewarded at the polls.

Ultimately, this resulted in Labor gaining Caloundra and Pumicestone from the LNP, both near the Sunshine Coast. Of the seats still in doubt, Labor is expected to pick up another three from the LNP based on current counting, including Bundaberg, Nicklin and Hervey Bay, showing that tourism-focussed areas swung to Labor despite being badly impacted by the lockdown and border closure.

The announcement of a curfew for teenagers in North Queensland failed to materialise the swing to the LNP in Townsville that was hoped for, with results indicating swings to Labor in each of the North Queensland target seats for the LNP.

Katter’s Australia Party won three seats while Pauline Hanson’s One Nation lost ground, only achieving one seat which added to Labor’s victory. Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party failed to attain a seat.

Labor Funding Commitments and Policies

Infrastructure and Transport

$3.7 billion for the Bruce Highway
$600 million to build 20 Queensland trains for Cross River Rail
$500 million to upgrade the M1
$400 million for the Works for Queensland program in regional areas
$280 million for the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme
$200 million for South East Queensland Council urban community infrastructure
$58 million for active transport projects
$21 million to revitalise and strengthen intrastate coastal shipping

Health

$265 million for seven Satellite Hospitals across South East Queensland
$171 million for Palliative Care
$100 million for well-being professionals in schools
$5 million for medical research into occupational dust lung disease
9,475 new jobs for frontline health workers

Education

$1.041 billion for school infrastructure
$100 million for new and improve TAFE facilities
$45 million for the Local Schools Local Jobs plan
$8 million to establish homework centres for students
Free TAFE and free apprenticeships for under 25s
6,190 new teachers and 1,129 new teacher aides

Business and Community

$140 million to support small businesses
$74 million for Queensland’s tourism industry
$50 million to boost agriculture and cut water costs for farmers
$40.5 million for the manufacturing sector
$40 million to protect the Great Barrier Reef
$35.38 million for volunteer marine rescue services
$15 million per year for country racing
$7.5 million to deliver 50,000 Fairplay sporting vouchers
$6.2 million for emergency support services
$4 million for Grants for Capital Works, Memorials and Commemorative Events
357 additional frontline firefighters

Looking ahead

The Labor Government has a challenging term ahead, which will primarily focus on economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. They promised jobs and growth during the “working together for Queenslanders” campaign and have a $100 billion debt to deal with. The 2020-21 budget is set to be handed down in December. With a solid majority, Labor will have no reliance on crossbench support.