This time last week, the federal Coalition was buoyed by its state counterpart’s strong showing at the byelection for the Brisbane seat of Inala, caused by the resignation of former Labor premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Although Labor held the seat, it suffered a 30 per cent primary swing against it. The Liberal National Party was never going to win Inala, but the result (as well as the LNP snatching the other Labor seat of Ipswich West on the same day) confirmed that Labor was in trouble in Queensland, the state in which it must pick up seats to prevent a minority government.