REMEMBER WHEN

THE Labor Party consolidated its hold on the Gold Coast, reclaimed Gaven and held on to key marginals such as Mudgeeraba and Broadwater in what party officials described as “a dream” election result.

The Magnificent Six were back for the ALP with Margaret Keech, Peter Lawlor, Di Reilly, Peta-Kaye Croft and Christine Smith returned, with the added bonus of Phil Gray stealing Gaven back from the National Party’s Alex Douglas.

Gaven went to Dr Douglas earlier that year after former Labor MP Robert Poole resigned, forcing a by-election.

The crushing victory for the Labor Party cemented the spectacular demise of the National Party on the Gold Coast over the previous 20 years.

From 1986-89, the National Party held all six seats on the Gold Coast, and even as recently as 1998, held four seats.

Now its only urban seat was Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast, held by Fiona Simpson.

The Liberals won the other three Gold Coast seats, with John-Paul Langbroek retaining Surfers, Jann Stuckey narrowly holding on to Currumbin and former mayor Ray Stevens staving off a brave challenge from the ALP’s Liz Pommer in Robina.

The Labor Party juggernaut continued the Gold Coast’s love affair with Premier Peter Beattie, who enjoyed stunning popularity since being elected Premier in May, 1998.

Mr Beattie came under renewed pressure to bolster the Gold Coast’s presence in the ministry, which stood at just one, with Ms Keech the Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Development Minister.