SUPPORT FOR LNP TAKES HIT

GROOM MP Garth Hamilton says the LNP needs to “restore its credibility” after a shocking national election result that also included an eight per cent swing against the party.

Mr Hamilton was comfortably returned to the safe conservative seat in Toowoomba, after attracting 62 per cent of the vote on a two-party-preferred basis against Labor.

While postal votes still need to be counted, as of Sunday the LNP’s primary vote suffered a significant drop of 12 points to sit at 41 per cent in Groom.

If it was to remain below 50 per cent, it would be the first time since the LNP became a united party in 2008 that the conservative side of politics needed preferences to win.

Mr Hamilton will join a much smaller group of colleagues in opposition in the next term, after Labor set it sights on a likely majority victory across Australia.

Mr Hamilton congratulated Labor leader Anthony Albanese on his win, while also reflecting on the past term of government.

“While I am in political opposition to him, I do hope for the sake of the country that he has good fortune and good health during his time as our nation’s leader,” Mr Hamilton told his followers on Facebook on Sunday.

“Australia’s peaceful and respectful transition of power is one of the greatest attributes of our nation.

“Although there might not be much for the LNP to celebrate today, I do reflect with some pride on how wonderful Australia is.

“I am humbled to again be granted the opportunity to represent the great seat of Groom in our federal parliament. Thank you.”

Mr Hamilton said his party had to take note of the result, not just in Groom but across the country.

“It is important now that my party acknowledges the result and sets about restoring our credibility as the home of sensible, centre-right policy. We’ve much work to do,” he wrote.

Groom saw a far more decentralised result than it has seen in the past, with all but one of the candidates achiev

ing at least five per cent of the primary vote.

It reflects national trends away from the major parties and towards minors and independents.

Meanwhile, Labor’s Gen Allpass says the LNP’s drop in primary support is a victory in itself, saying voters were declaring a need for change.

Ms Allpass, who achieved a small bump in Labor’s primary vote to sit above 19 per cent, said Mr Hamilton had been sent a message.

“They want change and someone who wants to work for the electorate,” she said.

“As women, we’re showing we need and deserve to be heard, we won’t forget how we’ve been treated by the Coalition, especially over the past few years.

“We will stand up and be counted and hold these men and this party to account.

“Garth will need to work hard, and we’ll be watching him all the way.”

Ms Allpass thanked her team of volunteers for supporting her, as well as the thousands of voters.

“All the people who came out and voted in the dreadful weather we’ve had, they expressed their democratic right,” she said. “I want to thank everyone for supporting me, it’s incredibly humbling.”

Greens candidate Mickey Berry said they were happy with a primary vote of 6.27 per cent, which was slightly down from 2019.

“We did expect our result to drop a bit due to two independents running, so we’re very happy,” they said.

One Nation’s Grant Abraham finished third with 9.91 per cent, followed by independents Suzie Holt and Kirstie Smolenski, Berry, the United Australia Party’s Melissa Bannister and the Australian Federation Party’s Ryan Otto.