Everything you need to know about the Brisbane campaign and beyond
The next Queensland election is still 2.5 years away, but voters in a seat in Brisbane should have a new MP within two weeks.
Early voting is now open for the May 16 Stafford by-election, the second out-of-cycle vote since the LNP came to power in October 2024.
By-elections are often treated as a test of support, although the LNP’s majority means the result will not change the government in any way.
So whether you are a voter or not, the midterm elections and their results will shape the political debate. Everything you need to know is here.
What are the early and mail-in voting dates?
Early voting began on Tuesday, May 5, and will continue every weekday until Friday, May 15.
Those wishing to vote early can vote at the Chermside Kedron Community Church on the corner of Rode and Gympie roads in Kedron or at the Wilston Grange Australian Football Club at Hickey Park in Stafford between 8am and 6pm.
The deadline to request a vote by mail has already closed. If you applied for one of these, you still need to complete it by 18:00 on the day of the vote and send it by post so that the ECQ receives it by May 26.
Voting day for all other registered voters in the electorate will be on: Saturday, May 16. A total of 12 voting booths throughout the electorate will be open from 08.00 in the morning until 18.00 in the evening.
Which candidates and political parties are competing?
A total of nine candidates representing seven registered political parties will appear on the ballot in the following order:
- Luke Richmond (Labor)
- Jacqueline Verne (Cannabis Legalization Party)
- Damian Smart (Independent)
- Daniel Selff (Libertarians)
- Liam Parry (Independent, endorsed by Queensland Socialists)
- Jess Lane (Greens)
- Lucy O’Brien (Animal Justice Party)
- Alan Denaro (Family First)
- Fiona Hammond (LNP)
What are the leading candidates focusing on?
Labor, the last party to hold the seat, is focusing on health and affordability concerns, while Hammond and the LNP are relying heavily on the state’s plans for future fuel security.
On the downside, Richmond and Labor claim Crisafulli’s government “cut 93 beds” at Prince Charles Hospital. In reality, the expansion initiated by the former Labor government is awaiting an updated timetable.
Meanwhile, the LNP is trying to link Richmond’s role in Labor (he was most recently the party’s deputy foreign secretary) to allegations of failure in the health sector. Both major parties are trying to portray the poll as a chance for voters to decide about their rivals.
Lane and the Greens are campaigning hard on living costs, housing and education. Lane himself is a teacher. The conflict in Palestine also became an important part of the campaign materials.
What could the consequences be and when will we find out?
Sullivan won the Labor seat by a 5.3 percentage point margin over Hammond in the 2024 election.
In the 23 by-elections held in Queensland up to 1996, the average vote against the government was 4.2 percent, while the vote against the incumbent party was 5.9 percent.
The counting of votes will continue after 18:00 on May 16, until later that night. Additional counts are likely to continue on Sunday.
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Matt Dennien is a reporter for the Brisbane Times covering state politics, parliament and the public sector. He previously worked for newspapers in Tasmania and Brisbane community radio station 4ZZZ. Contact him securely on Signal @mattdennien.15Connect via email.
