Senate preference deals crucial
Toowoomba likely to be home to two Senators for the first time
SENATE preference deals between the major and minor parties at the upcoming Federal Election will be crucial in determining the final make-up of the six state vacancies.
A total of 82 candidates have nominated for the six Queensland Senate positions — 22 more than at the 2010 federal election.
Political commentator Professor Geoff Cockfield from the University of Southern Queensland said deals already struck heavily favour Katter’s Australian Party.
“Katter’s Australian Party has done extremely well,” Professor Cockfield said.
“In Queensland, the Australian Labor Party will exchange preferences with them in the Senate.
“I understand the Liberal National Party also intends to preference Katter’s Australia Party in the Senate.
“They have also done a direct deal with Palmer United Party for preferences.
“That increases their potential to win a Senate seat in Queensland,” he said.
Professor Cockfield said Senate voting had changed significantly over past several Federal Elections.
“At this election you can simply tick a party or group listed above the line or you can number the candidates from one to 82 below the line,” he said.
“There has been a trend towards just ticking a party or group preference.
USQ’s Professor Geoff Cockfield: I believe the final make-up of the Senate in Queensland will be three LNP, two ALP and someone else — either the Katter’s Australian Party candidate or Palmer United Party candidate Glenn Lazarus.
“Essentially you are accepting the order of candidates that have been pre-determined by the respective party or group.
“This means the exchange of preferences becomes extremely important.”
Professor Cockfield believes the federal election will deliver a minor party a Senate seat in Queensland once all the votes have been counted.
“Katter’s Australian Party’s number one candidate is James Blundell who is also a recognisable name,” he said.
“If they poll anything like they did at the State Election last year at 11 per cent, and with preferences, they will probably get their candidate up.
“I believe the final make-up of the Senate in Queensland will be three LNP, two ALP and someone else — either the Katter’s Australian Party candidate or Palmer United Party candidate Glenn Lazarus.”
The Garden City will become home to one, possibly two, Senators once all the votes are counted in the Federal Election.
Earlier this year, Toowoomba-based former Liberal National Party heavyweight Barry O’Sullivan was pre-selected to fill Barnaby Joyce’s Senate seat in Queensland.
Mr O’Sullivan’s appointment will see him become the first Toowoomba-based Senator in more than three decades.
Meringandan-based Liberal National Party Senate candidate Matt Canavan has said he would base himself in Toowoomba if he was successful on polling day.
It would be the first time in Toowoomba’s history the city would become home to two Senators.
A full list of Queensland Senate candidates and their respective parties can be found online at www.aec.gov.au/election/qld/