SEATS AT THE POWER TABLE

MPS from both sides of politics are still conducting their own poll about Saturday’s election.

They are asking questions. Did you expect the result? Was there a point when it seemed the LNP had clawed back its position to have a chance of victory? What will it mean for the Palaszczuk Government at the State poll in October next year?

The debate will continue for some time. What both the LNP and Labor agree about is that Prime Minister Scott Morrison “owes” Queensland.

The LNP not only held all of its 21 seats in the Sunshine State, but gained two from Labor – Herbert and Longman.

The Gold Coast is front and centre in this debate. In the seat of Forde, there was a miraculous turnaround, where the LNP’s Bert van Manen secured a swing of more than seven per cent.

When LNP politicians talk about Mr Morrison owing Queensland, that means seats at his Cabinet table.

The Coast has had weight there with Fadden’s Stuart Robert the Assistant Treasurer and McPherson’s Karen Andrews the Minister for Industry Science and Technology.

Steve Ciobo before retiring at the end of this term had an impressive CV.

He had served as the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment in the Turnbull Government.

He previously served as Minister for International Development and the Pacific, and earlier as a parliamentary secretary in the Abbott Government. His ministerial apprenticeship began reporting to the Treasurer and later to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Trade and Investment.

His successor Angie Bell, in a strong campaign, has impressed fellow State MPs. They are predicting big things for the author and business consultant.

Scott Morrison needs to reward Ms Bell’s efforts and the Coast by promoting her to his new Cabinet.