O’ROURKE CLAIMS VICTORY

WE PURPOSELY WENT OUT WITH THE INTENT TO HOLD A POSITIVE CAMPAIGN AND THAT IS WHAT WE DID. CORALEE O’ROURKE

LABOR incumbent Coralee O’Rourke has claimed victory in the seat of Mundingburra, saying she was humbled by the result.

Ms O’Rourke said she felt “incredibly honoured” to continue to have the opportunity to work with the local community.

“We have still got a lot of work to do and to have that chance to do that is something that I am completely privileged to be able to do,” she said. “We purposely went out with the intent to hold a positive campaign and that is what we did.

“It is all about talking to people. What is important. Why it is important. And what we need to do to work together.”

The Electoral Commission of Queensland’s notional count – which is only a guide – showed Ms O’Rourke leading the count with 12,795 votes over seat of Mundingburra LNP challenger Matthew Derlagen with 12,089.

Ms O’Rourke had secured 51.42 per cent of the vote.

There are 33,801 electors in Mundingburra and 78 per cent of the vote had been counted yesterday afternoon.

Ms O’Rourke said she knew the result would be close.

“I knew it was going to be tough,” she said. “I was only on a small margin to start with and I lost half a per cent of that margin due to the redistribution.

“But that was even more reason why I spoke to as many people as I possibly could about what we had done, and what they wanted us to do to continue to make Townsville succeed.”

Ms O’Rourke said water, energy, crime and unemployment were the four main issues residents raised.

“Having the opportunity to talk to residents about what it is we have done and what it is we are going to continue doing, they were very positive conversations,” she said.

“I think the one thing that resonated with me throughout the many face- to- face conversations I’ve had is the appreciation of someone being heard. It is something we have done over the last term and we have worn a bit of the brunt of the so- called ‘ do nothing government’.

“Well it is actually about listening to people and finding out what is important to them and then actually implementing good policy.

“It’s about making sure we are working with the community to deliver what they need, not what a government says they need.”

Ms O’Rourke said she was “quietly confident” her Labor colleague Scott Stewart would retain his seat of Townsville.

“It is tight, there is no doubt about that but it is not over until the last vote is counted,” she said. “Scott has worked incredibly hard, as we all have, and is committed to the job.”

On Sunday, Labor’s Thuringowa incumbent Aaron Harper claimed victory.

The LNP’s candidate for Mundingburra, Mr Derlagen, did not want to make a comment until the Electoral Commission of Queensland finalised the vote.

The ECQ is yet to officially call the seat.