Libs face margin call
Political observers sense alarm bells
POLITICAL experts say preference flows will be key if Gold Coast MPS are not to see their margins slashed in today’s federal election.
University of Queensland’s Dr Glenn Kefford said there was an “anti-major party sentiment” among voters.
“I think that’s going to depress the LNP primary,” Dr Kefford said. “The question is where does it go? Do they give Labor a chance or does it go to the minor parties and flow back?”
A Yougov poll for the Australian predicted Mcpherson MP and Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews would have her margin slashed from 12 per cent to six.
Dr Kefford said such an outcome would not be a shock to political observers in Queensland. “We’ve seen at state elections that the traditional strongholds of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast for the LNP have been eaten into a little bit in recent electoral cycles,” he said.
Sky News chief election analyst Tom Connell said any major slip in their vote would set off alarm bells in the LNP.
“I think it would be a definite warning signal,” he said. “You’re seeing a lot of potential for a lot of electoral boundaries to be redrawn across the place.
“There’s going to be a really strong look across the country at whether something is changing fundamentally.”
Mr Connell, who will analyse data live on Sky News as results roll in tonight, said McPherson becoming a marginal seat would create major headaches for the party.
“The Gold Coast, if that is not a reliable area, if that has to be fought next time for the LNP, well that’s resources, that’s worrying about the seat itself,” he said. “They would ask what’s changing about it?”
Voters spoken to by the Bulletin at a pre-poll centre in Pimpama this week said they were unhappy with both the LNP and Labor.
Former Currumbin MP
Jann Stuckey said she had also encountered similar sentiment among voters on the southern Gold Coast.
“People are just shaking their heads, throwing their hands in the air and saying ‘it’s a joke’,” Ms Stuckey said.
“They’re not impressed with either of the majors.”
Ms Stuckey said she was “really shocked” by Ms Andrews’ statement calling for federal funding for the light rail extension through Palm Beach to be blocked, saying it was a “blatant vote grab” that indicated she was under pressure.
“I’m really surprised at her outburst and all I can say is
she must be scared that she’s going to lose some of her margin and therefore probably have the smallest margin out of her colleagues.”