LNP secures lean majority Government in Queensland concluding 10 years in opposition

David Crisafulli is poised to secure enough seats to become Queensland's new premier, making him only the second Liberal or National leader to win a state election since 1989. However, the mood on election night is subdued for the LNP.

Crisafulli and his wife, Tegan, expressed gratitude to supporters after declaring victory, marking the end of Labor's decade-long governance. Despite initial predictions of a landslide win, the LNP appears likely to maintain only a slim majority in the new parliament.

Crisafulli will assume office with certain challenges ahead. His mandate primarily revolves around implementing tough crime policies, stemming from a campaign that prioritized a “small target” strategy to safeguard a substantial polling lead.

Shortly after the polls closed, internal tensions within the party became evident. Hard-right figure Amanda Stoker, who had largely stayed out of the limelight during the campaign, faced scrutiny over her past support for nuclear energy. In an interview, she initially adhered to party lines but later indicated that nuclear power should be reconsidered. This misstep could jeopardize her position, especially given the fragile majority Crisafulli needs to maintain.

2024 Latest Queensland Election Results | Source: ABC News/ECQ

Moreover, Crisafulli's lack of support in the state capital poses additional challenges. Voters in Brisbane largely favored Labor, with the campaign focusing significantly on abortion rights, which has alienated some progressive constituents.

The election results reflect a divide in Queensland: conservative sentiments prevail in regional areas, while urban centers like Brisbane lean more left. This division presents ongoing difficulties for any governing party, particularly for the LNP as it seeks to unify a diverse electorate with little margin for error.

Crisafulli's victory comes after a campaign in which the LNP held a 58-42 polling advantage but was nearly overtaken by a revitalized Labor campaign. Observers suggest that, had the election been prolonged, the LNP's polling decline might have continued.

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1 - Smee, Ben. “David Crisafulli Has Narrowly Won the Queensland Election but the Real Fight Has Only Just Begun.” The Guardian, The Guardian, 26 Oct. 2024, www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/27/david-crisafulli-has-narrowly-won-the-queensland-election-but-the-real-fight-has-only-just-begun. Accessed 27 Oct. 2024.

2 - Glover, April. “David Crisafulli Promises He Will “Go into Bat” for Queensland after LNP’s Victory.” @9News, 9News, 27 Oct. 2024, www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-election-david-crisafulli-crime-rate-in-state-interview-david-littleproud/918326ae-6e19-4392-a3f6-d5bd8a1e3eb5. Accessed 27 Oct. 2024.

3 - Black, Jessica, et al. “LNP Projected to Win Queensland Election, Defeating Labor for the First Time in Almost a Decade.” Abc.net.au, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2024, www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-26/queensland-election-live-updates-results-2024/104505940. Accessed 27 Oct. 2024.

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