Poll shows LNP on edge of losing

CURRUMBIN could fall to Labor for the first time in 16 years as southern Gold Coasters look for a change after the shock resignation of longtime LNP representative Jann Stuckey.

A straw poll yesterday of 100 voters in the picturesque electorate, which stretches from Elanora south to Coolangatta and west to the Currumbin and Tallebudgera valleys, revealed that the seat is resting on a knife edge heading into an expected byelection.

Of the locals polled, 46 said they would vote LNP if a by-election were held today, and 43 Labor.

Ten said they would vote for the Greens, with one nominating One Nation.

Currumbin has been a conservative seat for all but 12 years of its 34-year existence.

Ms Stuckey had held the seat since wresting it from disgraced Beattie government tourism and racing minister Merri Rose in 2004.

Ms Rose won the seat from the-then Liberal Party in 1992 but was sacked from Cabinet by Mr Beattie over a series of controversies, and later jailed for blackmailing him.

Ms Stuckey suffered a swing against her at the last election, her 5.7 per cent margin reduced to 3.3 per cent.

Visiting the popular Palm Beach Parklands with her family yesterday, mother-oftwo Katie O’Grady said that her vote was already cast in stone.

“It’s sad that Jann has mental health issues and good on her for taking time off to look after herself, but I’ll be voting Labor,” the 32-yearold Currumbin Waters woman said.

“I just think they’re better at looking after everyday people, schools and hospitals.”

Currumbin retiree Anita Darby, 75, said she was a lifelong LNP voter and would be voting conservative no matter who the candidate.

“I think the LNP are far superior when it comes to managing the economy,” she said.