CANDIDATES WHO COULD BENEFIT

MEAGHAN SCANLON (GAVEN)

MEAGHAN Scanlon caused a stir when she was endorsed earlier this year. The appointment of the left-wing solicitor, who works for Labor senator Murray Watt, left long-term Labor Party members fuming about the sudden factional control which saw her beat veteran candidate Michael Riordan.

Last year, as candidate for Fadden, Ms Scanlon managed to increase the Labor vote by almost four per cent against MP Stuart Robert. If she manages to garner the same amount of support in Gaven – won by Sid Cramp in 2015 with 52.2 per cent of the two-party preferred vote – the seat will change hands.

ROWAN HOLZBERGER (BONNEY)

A STRONGER than expected showing in the 2015 election has the Labor Party pinning their hopes on Bonney candidate Rowan Holzberger.

Mr Holzberger, a relatively unknown candidate in 2015, managed to increase the Labor vote in Southport by almost six per cent. His performance was rewarded with the nomination for the new seat of Bonney, widely believed to be the most marginal seat on the Gold Coast.

Mr Hozlberger is going up against Fadden MP Stuart Robert’s electoral officer Sam O’Connor.

He has already been seen doing extensive doorknocking in the seat.