Ipswich West By-Election Swing Results in Labor’s Loss of Once-Safe Seat
Queensland’s Labor government suffered a significant blow as the Liberal National Party (LNP) made substantial gains in the state by-elections held recently. The seat of Ipswich West, previously considered safe for Labor with a margin of 14.3 per cent, witnessed a remarkable shift in voter sentiment towards the LNP.
Despite Labor’s historical dominance in Ipswich West, winning the seat in 19 out of the last 22 elections, the recent by-election results painted a different picture. LNP candidate Darren Zanow emerged as the clear frontrunner, securing 39.6 per cent of the primary vote with 77 per cent of votes counted, as confirmed by ABC’s chief election analyst Antony Green.
Meanwhile, in the Inala by-election in south-west Brisbane, the swing against the Australian Labor Party (ALP) was even more pronounced. However, Labor’s Margie Nightingale is poised to retain the seat previously held by former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, despite facing a significant 19 per cent swing towards the LNP.
Premier Steven Miles faced a setback in the by-election battle against Opposition Leader David Crisafulli, as reported by ABC News. According to Green, a significant swing was observed against the sitting Queensland government, a rare occurrence in all the years of election coverage. This swing surpassed the ones witnessed in the Redcliffe and Stafford by-elections that former premier Campbell Newman endured in 2014. The Ipswich West by-election swing played a crucial role in these events, which coincided with the local government elections following the departures of Jim Madden and the former premier.
Ipswich West By-Election Swing: Steven Miles’ Anticipated Outcome
Steven Miles, the Premier, expressed his anticipation of a challenging outcome in the Ipswich West by-elections but remained resolute in acknowledging and responding to the voters’ message.
“The voters in both electorates clearly aimed to communicate a message to our government, and I want to assure them that we are attentive and responsive,” he emphasized.
Premier Steven Miles expressed his disappointment, stating that the election results surpassed his already low expectations. He acknowledged that by-elections tend to be challenging for incumbent governments, and the outcome was particularly unfavorable. The Premier did not mince words, emphasizing the severity of the situation. He extended gratitude to the voters of Inala for choosing Ms. Nightingale as their representative, highlighting her potential contribution to the government. Additionally, he commended Labor’s Ipswich West candidate, Wendy Bourne, confirming her candidacy for the upcoming October state election. The Ipswich West by-election swing remains a focal point of discussion in the aftermath of the results.
Labor should reassess its position in light of Ipswich West by-election swing
According to Michael Berkman, the Greens representative for Maiwar, Labor faced significant challenges in Brisbane leading up to the October state election.
Mr. Berkman highlighted that the Ipswich West by-election swing is causing a significant shift in voter support, especially among renters and first-time home buyers who are increasingly turning towards the Greens.
“If the swing seen in the Ipswich West by-election were to be replicated in a state election, it could result in the loss of seats like Cooper, McConnel, and Greenslopes, posing a significant challenge in constituencies such as Miller, Bulimba, and Stafford.”
“Labor must assess and learn a lesson from the Ipswich West by-election swing.”
