Survey could backfire on LNP

AN influx of new voters who registered to take part in the controversial same-sex marriage survey could have a major effect on the state election, experts says.

And the Palaszczuk Government could be the big winner.

More than 98,000 new voters have been added to the electoral roll across the nation as a result of the survey. About 65,000 of them are aged 18-24.

The new influx has taken the total number of eligible voters in Queensland to 3.1 million.

Former Gold Coast state Labor MP Christine Smith (picutred) said the additional voters could make the difference in close electoral races.

“I understand it can amount to around 500 new voters per electorate so this may make the difference in close races,” she said.

“Not all of it will go to Labor but I do think the young people in their 20s and 30s are more likely to support samesex marriage and this could flow to Labor.”

The result of the non-binding same-sex survey, which polled Australians on whether they would support a change in the Marriage Act to allow gay couples to marry, will be released on November 15, 10 days before the election.

Griffith University adjunct professor and experienced political campaigner Stephen Stockwell said the survey put forward by the federal Coalition could potentially rebound on its state colleagues.

“The influx of new voters who have enrolled in the postal survey will play a part in this election, with a lot of young people wanting to exercise their vote for progressive purposes,” he said.