LNP SCRAMBLES

WITH a slim majority, the Government had been battling to shore up Meaghan Scanlon in Gaven. How quickly the pendulum swings. Jann Stuckey has listened to her heart and made the right decision. But without a candidate yet, the LNP must be regretting it did not act sooner.

JANN Stuckey entered Parliament in early 2004 after breaking Labor’s 11-year hold on the seat of Currumbin.

In her inaugural speech, Ms Stuckey highlighted a shortage of low-cost housing and growing numbers of homeless people, and flagged her battle ahead for the muchpromised Tugun highway bypass and to resolve headaches over the Tweed sand bypass. In that regard she proved herself to be an effective Opposition MP.

Ms Stuckey’s closing remarks in her first speech centred on a quote she shared with the Legislative Assembly. “Character,” she said, “is the ability to listen to your heart, hear what it says and follow it, no matter what in your mind you think you may lose.”

Ms Stuckey would certainly have known there would be fallout from her decision, announced this week, to go early. Having revealed tearfully to Parliament in June that she would not contest the October 2020 election, she is now resigning on February 1, citing a battle with depression.

There is tragedy in such circumstances and Gold Coasters will feel for her and her family. It is evident though that the decision by the former Newman government minister to accelerate her departure has caught the LNP unprepared – and handed the Labor Government a chance to take back the seat in a by-election, making its bid to retain power later this year a little easier.

Labor’s Meaghan Scanlon holds the seat of Gaven by a handful of votes. As reported, Labor must retain Gaven if it is to hold the state – and has also been focusing on Currumbin and seats it sees as vulnerable.

Indeed, after the last election LNP insiders told the Bulletin Ms Stuckey and other MPs hanging on with small margins would have to think carefully about staying on. Ms Stuckey’s decision to leave early means Labor can fight a by-election in Currumbin on local issues and the LNP’s record in the seat, without statewide distractions.

Part of the LNP’s problem, apart from being caught unprepared, is that Ms Stuckey’s firebrand style has seen her clashing heads, which increasingly has alienated her from her own side of politics.

Voters often give a new MP who enters Parliament in a by-election another go when the full election rolls around. Sensing its chance, Labor had already installed a local candidate and according to a senior source, had been expecting a by-election. But it still has problems of its own with Labor MP Jo-Ann Miller, who is reported to be considering running in March for Ipswich mayor. A win in Currumbin could ease the pressure if it loses Ms Miller’s seat in a by-election.

Labor’s run to the October poll has also been rattled by integrity issues following Deputy Premier Jackie Trad’s purchase of an undeclared investment home, and by public anger at crime problems and a “catch and release” approach by the courts.

Until Ms Stuckey announced she will go within days, the Government had its job cut out. With a slim majority at stake, it had been battling to shore up Ms Scanlon in Gaven. How quickly the pendulum swings.

Ms Stuckey has listened to her heart and made the right decision.

But without a replacement candidate yet, the LNP must be regretting it did not act sooner.